HELPP!! is this coop big enough for 4 hens?

[wendy93089]

Im going to build a coop in a few min. i really really like this design. i was wondering if its big enough for 4 hens. they occasionally will free range but spend most of the time in this coop. this design has 48 wide chicken wire but im going to substitute that for hardware cloth. The measurements for this coop are 4x4x8. thanks

 

[WhySayWhat]

I'm guessing the "coop" part is about 4x4x4? If so, then technically "yes" the coop is big enough for 4 hens. But, the other 16 sq feet of run is way too small! As a minimum, 4 sq ft per bird inside and 10 sq ft of outside space is what you need. Unless of course you plan on letting them out all the time to wander around the yard with you.

Best of luck to you though! Coop building is hard work (at least for me it is)!

 

[AbeBot]

Yes, but they'll be bored to tears if you don't give them a bigger run.

 

[andalusn]

Bigger is always better when it come to floor space. Hens are busy birds and need space to do their work. Will this coop be on wheels so it can be moved and fresh grass available to eat and scratch?

 

[Noymira]

I like the design of that setup as well, but if I were you I'd double the size of the coop and make the run a LOT bigger.

 

[CoyoteMagic]

With the fact that you are in Tampa, I don't see any problem with it if you plan on moving maybe once a week. Put a couple cross pieces to keep the frame in shape. I would also add a roof for the entire top of the run to create some shade. Maybe even a drop cloth to either side for when the sun shifts. If you were in a colder climate it would be a real issue if there was lots of snow.

I'm working on a perm chicken tractor myself. 40 inches x 7ft for 4 chickens. Odd size because it's going to fit on top of my raised garden beds come fall and I'm using 90% recycled materials. Only have 1 8ft 2x6 the other is just over 7ft

 

[obaan1]

I agree with Noymira. Double the coop size and increase the run substantially.