How big should I build my coop?

[kilmon88]

I just built an 8ftx8ftx4ft high pen today. I am buying 6-8 chickens soon. They will be allowed to free range for almost half the day. I plan on attaching a roosting/laying house to the pen. Inside the house I would put 2-3 laying boxes and a roosting pole.
My questions:
1. Can 6-8 chickens comfortably roost in the 4ftx4ftx4ft high house?
2. If I put a roosting pole in the pen (under the plywood roof), will they sleep in the pen? The rest of the frame is chicken wire.
3. Considering that they will free range, is 4feet enough head room for them to roost?
4. If 4x4x4 is out of the question, is 8ftx4ftx4ft high more reasonable?
5. I currently have two ducklings and I was wondering what degree ramp they can comfortably climb and/or other systems besides ramps that they can use to get into the nesting house?
Any feedback is appreciated. I am new to this and I want my chickens to be as comfortable as possible.

 

[ShockValue]

Standard wisdom (as I read it) usually suggests 4sq feet per full size bird. I build my coop 4x8 based on that number for my 8 chickens.

I'm sure there are lots of variables that can change this, but I'm new to this so I just went with the standard. We plan on free ranging them as well once they've learned where "home" is.

 

[Irishhenman]

1. Can 6-8 chickens comfortably roost in the 4ftx4ftx4ft high house? Yes
2. If I put a roosting pole in the pen (under the plywood roof), will they sleep in the pen? Probably
3. Considering that they will free range, is 4feet enough head room for them to roost? Yes
4. If 4x4x4 is out of the question, is 8ftx4ftx4ft high more reasonable? 4x4 is fine as long as you don't get too much snow in winter
5. I currently have two ducklings and I was wondering what degree ramp they can comfortably climb and/or other systems besides ramps that they can use to get into the nesting house? Around 45 degrees and over are usually good for ducks and hens, with some small pieces of wood every 6" for easier grip. Ladders and steps are also good

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Are you planning to house your ducks and chickens together? If so, that needs to be taken into account in the space/size question as this would be 6-8 chickens and two ducks. What breed(s) are the ducks and or will your chickens be?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Also - it is never a bad idea to build bigger than you think you need - there is no such thing as giving your birds too much room, and you have will soon find the draw of "chicken math" taking hold -- if you *do* find yourself wanting to add to your flock, it'll be much easier to do if you already have the facilities in place to do so.

 

[kilmon88]

Are you planning to house your ducks and chickens together?  If so, that needs to be taken into account in the space/size question as this would be 6-8 chickens and two ducks.  What breed(s) are the ducks and or will your chickens be?

. I do plan on housing them together. I am getting 2 barred, 2 white rock, 2 nhr, and 1 black australorps rooster today

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

What breed are your ducks? Adding the ducks to the mix (especially if a larger breed) will need to be factored into the amount of space you need to provide both inside and out.

 

[kilmon88]

What breed are your ducks?  Adding the ducks to the mix (especially if a larger breed) will need to be factored into the amount of space you need to provide both inside and out.

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