Flock size for Coop setup?

[3qkate]

Hi all! I'm feeling confused about how many chickens would be ideal in my coop and run. It's an 8x8 coop, with large windows and vents. There are 10 nesting boxes tucked into a bump out. It opens to a run that is 6x12. We plan to free range them when we can. The company we bought it from said 10-12 chickens in one place, and 15-20 in another. We would like to keep as healthy a flock as possible. We are in northern Illinois so it gets quite cold in the winter and quite hot in the summer. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[Tre3hugger]

you can comfortably fit 16 chickens in a co-op that size(4 sq ft each). The run would be a bit small for that many tho. Ideally for 16 birds you would want a run at least 160 sq ft. 10 ft per bird. 4 and 10 sq ft per bird in co-op and run respectively is what most people recommend as a minimum.

 

[NNYchick]

I really love this article. It discusses things to think about other than numbers. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-much-room-do-chickens-need.66180/

 

[Mrs. K]

People often talk about free ranging time, thinking that it can make up for too small of coops or runs. And it doesn't.

On the other hand, the more space birds have, the better they get along, however that too can be leveled with the shape of the space and the birds themselves.

My vote is don't fill the coop with the max numbers the first year. Fill it a little lightly, say 12 birds, which is a nice flock, see how 12 birds do in your winters in your set up. Then maybe add a few more next year.

I try and keep a flock, sometimes I add birds, and sometimes birds leave my set up. I like a multi-generational flock, older birds, young adult birds and chicks. So leaving you set up with a bit of room in it, I have found to be very handy over the years.

Mrs K

 

[jreardon1918]

People often talk about free ranging time, thinking that it can make up for too small of coops or runs. And it doesn't.

On the other hand, the more space birds have, the better they get along, however that too can be leveled with the shape of the space and the birds themselves.

My vote is don't fill the coop with the max numbers the first year. Fill it a little lightly, say 12 birds, which is a nice flock, see how 12 birds do in your winters in your set up. Then maybe add a few more next year.

I try and keep a flock, sometimes I add birds, and sometimes birds leave my set up. I like a multi-generational flock, older birds, young adult birds and chicks. So leaving you set up with a bit of room in it, I have found to be very handy over the years.

Mrs K

I would say fill it to 50%. So 8. Then the next spring you could add 4. Then the next spring another 4. Assuming a few losses, you never quite get to full. Every year you add a few. Always keeping 16 as a hard cap.

Adding each year means you get some pullet eggs through the winter. And of course make that run a bit bigger.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Another thing to keep in mind is if the run isn't large enough or winterproofed to allow for comfortable use during winter, you may be looking at a lot of birds opting to stay in. If that's the case you need more than the usual "4 sq ft in coop" that you see quoted on here. 6 or 8 sq ft maybe be required for peace in the flock.

So with that in mind, plus the small run, I'd say a max of 7-8 birds. If you can increase the run space you might be able to squeeze a couple more birds in, but I would wait until you get through a winter with a smaller flock and see how they do with cold/snow.

 

[aart]

Another thing to keep in mind is if the run isn't large enough or winterproofed to allow for comfortable use during winter, you may be looking at a lot of birds opting to stay in. If that's the case you need more than the usual "4 sq ft in coop" that you see quoted on here. 6 or 8 sq ft maybe be required for peace in the flock.

Ditto Dat!!!
I learned this the hard way my second winter, too many birds and run not weather proofed.
ChickenCabinFever is real and it can get ugly!

We are in northern Illinois so it gets quite cold in the winter

Welcome to BYC! @3qkate
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[3qkate]

Thank you all! This is such great information! Off to read up the best way to winterize my run, and I'm probably going to add an extension to it as well.