Helpful hints for building coops

[21hens-incharge]

Wonder why all the coops i see are so small. I only want 12 chickens and I have to have a 8x12 building. I might need to scale down this is getting expensive, the coop is gonna cost around 2 grand without the run and fenced in yard

An 8x8 is plenty big enough for 12-16 large breed chickens.

 

[3KillerBs]

Wonder why all the coops i see are so small. I only want 12 chickens and I have to have a 8x12 building. I might need to scale down this is getting expensive, the coop is gonna cost around 2 grand without the run and fenced in yard

The coops you see for sale are so small because the manufacturers can use the figures for commercial chickens when telling people how many the coops will hold. We backyard chicken keepers generally aim to do better.

The Usual Guidelines

For each adult, standard-sized hen you need:

• 4 square feet in the coop (.37 square meters)
• 10 square feet in the run (.93 square meters),
• 1 linear foot of roost (.3 meters),
• 1/4 of a nest box,
• And 1 square foot (.09 square meters) of permanent, 24/7/365 ventilation, preferably located over the birds' heads when they're sitting on the roost.

12 hens

• 48 square feet in the coop. 6'x8' is more practical than 4'x12' since a long, skinny coop like that would be difficult to work inside.
• 12 feet of roost
• 120 square feet in the run. 10'x12' or 8'x15' -- 8'x16' means fewer odd cuts than either of those. 6'x20' is possible, especially if your run is an open-topped, fenced area instead of fully-enclosed with a solid and/or wire roof but risks social problems because subordinate hens need to be able to pass the dominant hens at a respectful distance.
• 12 square feet of ventilation.
• 3 nest boxes.

These guidelines are, however, usually considered minimums. Though climate, management system, breeds, and individual temperaments will create variations.

For example, I successfully kept 5 hens of laid-back, calm, dual purpose breeds in a coop sized precisely for 4 because I had a huge run and a mild climate where there was no day of the entire year that they couldn't/wouldn't go outside (even foraging between the rain bands of a mild hurricane).

This article goes beyond the numbers game to talk about space needs in a more integrated, nuanced way: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-much-room-do-chickens-need.66180/

Where, in general, are you located? Climate matters, especially when it comes to housing. If you put your location into your profile people can more easily give you targeted advice.

 

[CapricornFarm]

Im new and this will be my first build. I was wondering if 8x8 coop will be enuff for around 12 to 15 chickens

8x8=64 square feet Divided by 4 square feet per bird equals 16. So yes.

 

[CapricornFarm]

You would benefit from an isolation area, to keep new birds away from existing birds for a month before adding them. Also a brooder is a good idea to house young birds.

 

[Molpet]

Im new and this will be my first build. I was wondering if 8x8 coop will be enuff for around 12 to 15 chickens

I first built an 8x24.... thought it would be big enough forever.... I kept getting more birds and built three 8x8

 

[aart]

Im 6"4 also another question, i only have 3 coming next week and the others won't be here till October. Will the 3 be fine in a space that big or should I build 2, 1 now and 2 later

The more space the better.
That 4/10 rule is minimal, IMO, especially if you live in a cold climate.

Welcome to BYC! @Freedomfarmer420
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[Sally PB]

The more space the better.
That 4/10 rule is minimal, IMO, especially if you live in a cold climate.

So true!

Want to have a broody raise chicks in the coop? It takes space.
Have a chicken you need to separate, but keep with the flock? That takes space.
Want to be able to move around in the coop, with those kinds of things too? Yup, space.
Have a really COLD day, say, 0F? Shut the chickens in the nice big coop, out of the wind and the snow.

Gee, I wish I'd made my coop smaller, said nobody, ever.

 

[Freedomfarmer420]

The more space the better.
That 4/10 rule is minimal, IMO, especially if you live in a cold climate.

Welcome to BYC! @Freedomfarmer420
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!
View attachment 3459266

Ok I updated it. Im in mississippi

 

[3KillerBs]

Ok I updated it. Im in mississippi

from central North Carolina.

We hot-climate people have special considerations to think of just like the cold-climate people.

Hot Climate Chicken Housing and Care

I strongly recommend an Open Air style coop, which can be thought of as a roofed run with a 3-sided shelter at the windward end.

Open Air Coops

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/jens-hens-a-southern-texas-coop.75707/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/my-positive-local-action-coop.72804/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/california-living.68130/

 

[Ponypoor]

So true!

Want to have a broody raise chicks in the coop? It takes space.
Have a chicken you need to separate, but keep with the flock? That takes space.
Want to be able to move around in the coop, with those kinds of things too? Yup, space.
Have a really COLD day, say, 0F? Shut the chickens in the nice big coop, out of the wind and the snow.

Gee, I wish I'd made my coop smaller, said nobody, ever.

Yes thankfully I have a nice big barn which my horses are more than happy to share with my kiddos after all who doesn’t like cecal poop all over one’s hay?!!
(I now cover the hay with old sheets )

As for coops, I built a 4x10 ‘hen house’ which is used just for night time roosting and daytime soap-oprah egg laying - they are out and about all day otherwise.

FYI roosting area is 30” high and all on one level to prevent the “I want to roost higher” drama. Silkies just can’t seem to get it through their noggins that they cannot leap off a 4’ high roost and float like a butterfly to the ground!