How many birds can my coop hold? *Pics*

[_-Captain BRM-_]

Just because something fits, doesn't mean it's appropriate. I can fit 8 horses in a 16 foot stock trailer. Doesn't mean they are comfortable or that it's good for them.

The prefab coops go off of the space required for battery hens in a 1x1 foot box. That's hardly how anyone should keep backyard chickens. Or any chickens for that matter.

@3KillerBs is great at explaining the space needed to humanely keep chickens.

Thank you very much! If there's no fighting, feather loss, or other signs or harm, and they ok? They have so much space and they get along brilliantly except for the average hen squabble

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Until you add ventilation, 0. Once you add adequate ventilation, 2 or 3.

The thumb rules are 4 sq ft coop per bird (nesting box space doesn't count) *AND* 10 sq ft run, per bird. Also, 1 linear ft of perch per bird, and one sq ft of 24/7/365 free ventilation (predator protected, of course) per bird.

This.

 

[DobieLover]

You have no ventilation. That is probably more important than space, but by a tiny margin.
After adding a lot of ventilation, as close to 5 sq ft as you can, I wouldn't keep more than 4 or 5 birds in there IF the run was predator proof, which it is not.
You really need to add the ventilation and replace the chicken wire with 1/2" hardware cloth with a 2' predator apron if you want to get 5 birds in there and actually keep them physically and mentally healthy and happy.

 

[_-Captain BRM-_]

You have no ventilation. That is probably more important than space, but by a tiny margin.
After adding a lot of ventilation, as close to 5 sq ft as you can, I wouldn't keep more than 4 or 5 birds in there IF the run was predator proof, which it is not.
You really need to add the ventilation and replace the chicken wire with 1/2" hardware cloth with a 2' predator apron if you want to get 5 birds in there and actually keep them physically and mentally healthy and happy.

So how do I add ventilation?

 

[DobieLover]

Thank you very much! If there's no fighting, feather loss, or other signs or harm, and they ok? They have so much space and they get along brilliantly except for the average hen squabble

How old are they?

 

[_-Captain BRM-_]

How old are they?

Some are 4 some are 7 months and some are a year and 6 months... And also some 8 month olds too

 

[DobieLover]

So how do I add ventilation?

I would increase the roof overhang all the way around for starters. I'd have to see how the roof was constructed before suggesting ways to modify it.
Once the overhang was extended I'd add gable vents. A couple of top hinged windows for light and non-winter ventilation would be very good too.

 

[_-Captain BRM-_]

I would increase the roof overhang all the way around for starters. I'd have to see how the roof was constructed before suggesting ways to modify it.
Once the overhang was extended I'd add gable vents. A couple of top hinged windows for light and non-winter ventilation would be very good too.

The roof is corregated steel. Whats wrong with not having good ventilation? I know that it needs it and am not disagreeing but wondering.

 

[TheOddOneOut]

Whats wrong with not having good ventilation?

Lots of things!
It causes bad smell, stuffy coops, respiratory issues in birds, frostbite in winter…

 

[_-Captain BRM-_]

Lots of things!
It causes bad smell, stuffy coops, respiratory issues in birds, frostbite in winter…

Where would you suggest I add ventilation?