How many birds can we have with our set up?

[Annalithe]

We have a pen around our coop that is 19.5 ft by 18 ft. Our coop is a little over 5 ft by 5 ft. We currently have 4 hens but would like to add a few more. How many could have with our space?

And I e more thing: We have been thinking about letting our chickens free range in the backyard during the day as well. Surrounding the back is a 3 ft chain link fence. We are in a suburban area. Would the chickens be very likely to jump the fence and escape during the day? They don't ever try escaping from their run during the day, but that fence is 5 ft tall.

Thanks for the help!

 

[loveourbirds]

your coop is good for about 6 chickens (4 square feet per bird on large fowl). your run area is good for about 35 birds (10 square feet per bird. with this much space if you only kept 6 chickens you shouldn't have to let them out to free range. you can double these figures for bantams.

with a 3 foot fence, more than likely your chickens will jump it sooner or later. they will usually stay in with anything over 4 feet.

 

[boothin]

your coop is good for about 6 chickens (4 square feet per bird on large fowl). your run area is good for about 35 birds (10 square feet per bird. with this much space if you only kept 6 chickens you shouldn't have to let them out to free range. you can double these figures for bantams.

with a 3 foot fence, more than likely your chickens will jump it sooner or later. they will usually stay in with anything over 4 feet.

So, in a case like this the size of the coop doesn't really matter if you let them roam in an adequately sized run? and have enough roost space of course.

For example, if 15 birds were kept there would it be okay as long as they are let out into the run even though the coop is small but had enough space for roosting?

 

[salt and pepper]

I think you could easily have eight birds in that set up.

 

[loveourbirds]

So, in a case like this the size of the coop doesn't really matter if you let them roam in an adequately sized run? and have enough roost space of course.

For example, if 15 birds were kept there would it be okay as long as they are let out into the run even though the coop is small but had enough space for roosting?

over the summer you would be fine. they just need a place to get in out of the weather. its wintertime that will get you on that setup. that's when the at least 4 feet of inside space is important. if you have several roosters you will need more square footage.

if this helps, I keep my birds in pens by breed. for large birds like Plymouth rocks, new Hampshire or rhode island red, dominiques, and wyandottes I allow 6 square feet per bird minimum with 1 rooster. with bantam breeds I allow about 3 square feet minimum per bird with 1 rooster. make sure all roosts are the same height, or they will fight for the highest. I find it best (for me) to keep the roosts low, less than 3 feet, but above the top of the nestboxes.

let me kind of restart here - what kind of chickens are you raising? what is your biggest predator threat?

 

[boothin]

over the summer you would be fine. they just need a place to get in out of the weather. its wintertime that will get you on that setup. that's when the at least 4 feet of inside space is important. if you have several roosters you will need more square footage.

if this helps, I keep my birds in pens by breed. for large birds like Plymouth rocks, new Hampshire or rhode island red, dominiques, and wyandottes I allow 6 square feet per bird minimum with 1 rooster.  with bantam breeds I allow about 3 square feet minimum per bird with 1 rooster.  make sure all roosts are the same height, or they will fight for the highest. I find it best (for me) to keep the roosts low, less than 3 feet, but above the top of the nestboxes.

let me kind of restart here - what kind of chickens are you raising? what is your biggest predator threat?

Right now 4 easter Eggers, 2 marans and an orpington. Thinking about adding a Sussex, Wyandotte, and brahma and possibly selling 2 of the EEs to diversify our flock. I think all but the marans are said to be pretty cold hardy and our winters generally stay above 20F. Looking back at historic temps there were only about 10-15 days total across the past 3 years that dipped below 20F.


In terms of predators probably raccoons or our neighbors dogs if they happen to jump the fence and dig under the run fence. we are in a pretty developed area so things like foxes are very rarely if ever a problem.

 

[loveourbirds]

Right now 4 easter Eggers, 2 marans and an orpington. Thinking about adding a Sussex, Wyandotte, and brahma and possibly selling 2 of the EEs to diversify our flock. I think all but the marans are said to be pretty cold hardy and our winters generally stay above 20F. Looking back at historic temps there were only about 10-15 days total across the past 3 years that dipped below 20F.


In terms of predators probably raccoons or our neighbors dogs if they happen to jump the fence and dig under the run fence. we are in a pretty developed area so things like foxes are very rarely if ever a problem.

i would allow a good sized run and keep an eye on your maran's potential "orneriness" and watch the brahma as a breed to be picked on. if your budget allows put a metal roof over the run. in the winter time plan to wrap with plastic or tarps when temps start hitting freezing. that will probably keep them warm enough. remember to allow some ventilation. if you notice your maran's combs turning dark on the tips your chickens are getting to cold. add a lamp for warmth.

i cant seem to post a picture for some reason. on my barn, i wanted a lot of run like air flow, with the ability to heat. i put batten board up 4 feet and wire above it. in the winter i cover the wire with plastic. this setup works very well for me, with about the same temperatures as you described. if you keep adding to your flock, its cheap to add to and easy to divide. this summer i plan on adding metal "flaps" that i can open in the summer and close in the winter, i will use insulation in the panels but i may prop some open and only close them completely on nights below 25 deg

if you click on my profile, you can see a picture of what im talking about. under embedded photos, then under run design. my cages are double stacked and this shows my wind guard for the second set of cages. you wouldn't need that weird strip of wood on your design.