HELP ME SETTLE BATTLE over coop size. if you can... :)

[featherz]

My coop is 30sf and my run is about 60sf - and I have eight young chickens. Not enough room! If a few are roos that need rehoming that would help, but I've already almost got hubby willing to build me a larger coop. We also plan on adding nest boxes externally to save space in the coop. They are my first chooks and I honestly expected that I'd lose a few

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[crazy chook]

WoW! There are some fantastic coops on here!

If only I could get my hubby more interested in building me a big coop, 20 x 8 would be lovely.

At the moment I have a 6 x 8, 3 x 4 and 3 x 5. And I am building another as we speak!

I have been fortunate enough to have found some wooden crates that I only need to modify with a door, roost and nest boxes.

 

[CityChook]

Even if you don't choose to go with more chickens (like if you're in the city and have a limit), 4x8 is going to be your MINIMUM. When chickens get cabin fever they can get pretty ugly with each other. That's why battery chickens get their beaks clipped off. And honestly, if you end up needing to pull a permit, you may as well go bigger. If you went up to 6x8 (shed size) and decide that chickens are a bummer (like that will ever happen...) then at least you have a usable shed. I have a covered run and my chickens refuse to go out in the snow. They spend Oct-April inside their coop. Okay people, don't start flaming me, but I couldn't imagine going with less than 10 sq/ft per chicken INSIDE if you live in a climate that gets a fair amount of snow that lasts a while...

 

[tasymo]

A 4' x 4' coop is doable. I know, because I'm doing it! I have six standard hens who manage very nicely in their little 4' x 4' coop that is 6' at it's peak. They do have an 8' x 10' enclosed run, as well as a much bigger open run. I'm fortunate that all my Girl's get along well, so no one gets picked on, and I'm careful to let them outside as early as possible every morning, year round. My only complaint is that there is absolutely NO room to grow. Unless I add another coop, my flock must remain as it is. I will probably add a second coop, eventually.

 

[LuvinMyPeeps]

That is sooooo cute! I love your coop and garden!!!!! **** drool

****

 

[teach1rusl]

I agree with Citychook...make it shed-size so that if, for some reason down the road, chickens don't work out, you still have an attractive storage shed. My DH likes my hens, but he's already called "Dibs" on their coop if we ever go out of the chicken business.

We don't get the winters you guys do, and my girls had cabin fever last winter - with 5 hens in a 6 x 8. Folks who don't really get winters can get away with smaller coops, provided they have enough roost space, because the chickens are only inside to sleep or lay eggs. But that's not the case in areas that get winters.

A 10 x 10 run would be fine for 6 chickens. 60 sq. feet would be the minimum recommendation IMO. Happy building!!

 

[tasymo]

I'm in Michigan, and we definitely get lot's of snow, as well as some bitter cold temps. That doesn't keep my Girl's cooped up, though. If the snow is deep, I toss some straw down for them to walk on. They seem to prefer eating snow to drinking water, which really surprised me and reduced my "what if their water freezes" anxiety. They still pile outside as soon as the pop door opens, rain, snow, sleet or drought!

 

[surfchicken72]

I already have a 12x18 shed that MORE than holds all my lawn "gear" including a riding mower.. plus a 2 car garage, too.
so I'm really hoping this chicken thing works out!
Since the coop isn't built yet, we leave them outside in this small one during the day..
and bring them in at night.. I can already tell they prefer outside.. gotta get moving!'
Plus, even at 4 weeks, they're definitely not chicks anymore......
can't believe how fast they grow...

Wish me luck!