getting ready to build a new coop, few questions

[chicken farmer2]

im getting ready to build a new coop and it'll be done by about june 20th. its going to be 8x10 i was wondering how many chicken could fit in it.

 

[chicken farmer2]

i meant july 20th

 

[DaddyBird]

Space requirements can depend on the breed but here are some guidelines I would use:

Optimally 4 but a minimum of 2 sqft per bird
A nesting box for every 3-4 hens
At least 12" of roost space per bird

So,based on an 80 sqft coop, assuming you have the nest boxes and perches, you could house 20-40 birds depending on your specific breeds' needs.

 

[chicken farmer2]

my biggest breed will be a maran and the smallest breed will be a silkie and my roost is going to 5ftx4 with 4 perches so thats 20ft of perches and imuf getting 4 or 5 nest box

 

[chicken farmer2]

my maximum will be 20 birds so thats good right and could i mix a Guinea or two with chickens

 

[DaddyBird]

20 birds should be quite comfortable with what you have described. I am not sure about the guineas. I have never messed with them or even researched them. I know people own both but not sure if they mix them in the same coop with chickens. There are probably someguinea boards on here where you could go post that question.

 

[chicken farmer2]

ok thank you right now i have a pair of barred rocks, a bantam cochin, and two bantam hybrids that are small then the other 15 will mostly be bantams i pick up at mt.hope like duccle sebrights, silkies, polish, olde english game,

 

[DaddyBird]

if you are doing bantams mostly, you could easily put more than 20 in there. They don't need near as much space as the full size birds. although you might want another nest box or three.

 

[chicken farmer2]

20 will be my max for now cause I plan on hatching some barnyard bantam mixes, so barred rocks and then, blue Americana.