help with coop size

[aim4balance]

We rehabbed an old kids playhouse for our chicken coop. Pic is attached (note, pic is BEFORE it was finished, we now have a door and built the run fencing higher). The dimensions are 3.5 x 4 ft, and 4ft tall. The run is large and our grass has stayed growing in there!, but truthfully they are 90% free ranged in our yard and our neighbors yard (they agreed and its going well so far). They are locked up securely in the coop each night to protect from predators. How many laying non-bantam chickens would you put in there? We have 5 right now. Do you have any suggestions for expanding the coop if we wanted to add a couple more chickens? Thanks!!

 

[aim4balance]

ah, darn, no thoughts anyone? Would 7 chickens be too much in there, even though they are only ever in the coop from when they head in around 845 (I realize that will get earlier in the winter) until 7 am or so in the morning?

 

[Julia62]

Our coop is about the same size and we have 4 chickens. We have two roosts and three nest boxes. I think we could house 2 more, but are sticking 4 for now. They all roost on the upper roost so there is room and 3 nest boxes are more than plenty, it just fit that way, so we made them. Our enclosed run is 10 x 10, but we are fencing off a large section of our yard tomorrow for free- ranging. We want to keep our dogs away from them and their poop away from our dogs and us!

So could you? Probably, but I think 5 is plenty for the size of the coop. Ours are still getting their pecking order worked out with the newest one.

 

[RJSorensen]

Yes, five birds is more than plenty for your coop. You will have problems with more, I am close to saying 'for sure.' Birds need space, private space. The golden BYC number is four square feet per bird. I would guess you are under that number now. Wanting more birds is all just normal, and part of that 'chicken math' thing many folks here have.

So do the math and make your choices, they are your birds,

RJ