hi newbie from alabama

[billyg2131]

hello all i have a 8x10 coop and would like any info i get on how many chickens i can house there.i do have a 8x20 run for the daytime. also looking for info about automatic doors. thank u all in advance for your input. also forgot to tell you i am gonna keep large brown layers in the coop.

 

[Bama1]

Welcome fro DeKalb Co. Ala.
They say 4 sq ft per bird in the coop which would be 20 chickens in the coop. they say you need 10 sq ft MINIMUM per bird in the run which would be 16. so you could have 16 chickens. There are lots of yhreads about automatic doors, just use search box.
There is an Alabama thread and you can go there and introduce yourself if you want. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/29002/alabama/2910#post_9975981

 

[theoldchick]

 

[billyg2131]

thank you very much. im in tuscaloosa

 

[canesisters]

Welcome to BYC!!!

You might want to stop by the 'Learning Center' tab and wander around a little. There are many excellent articles about getting started with chickens. The general rule is (I think) 4 square feet per bird inside and 8 or 10 outside. I have an 8x8 coop and a 30x30 run - with 6 large fowl breeds in it. They seem plenty happy with very little pecking. There is plenty of room for them to get out of each others way.

As for auto doors, I have a 'Pullet Shut' and LOVE it. It is solar powered and has a photo-eye so it will open just after dawn and close just before sunset. It seems very sturdy and well made.

The most important thing I've learned so far about having chickens (got my first chicks this past May) is to ENJOY them. Do the research, set things up as best as you can the first time so you aren't constantly having to correct things, and don't take it toooo seriously. Someone on here has a tag line that says 'it's a hobby, not a religion' - easy to forget sometimes with these addictive little fluffy critters.

 

[sumi]

Hello and welcome to BYC

Glad you joined us!

 

[1muttsfan]

Hi and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan

 

[Kevin565]

 

[weimarmama]

& from a neighbor in Coffee County. Glad you joined us.

 

[redsoxs]

Welcome again!