How many can this hold?

[Studio2770]

Here's another try at seeing if my coop can handle more chickens. Our coop is 28 sq ft and 5 ft tall, the run is 48 sq ft and 6 ft tall and 3 nesting boxes. We have 5 white leghorns that are at least 10 weeks old now. We plan to get 2-4 chicks, maybe cochins, buffs or any other friendly chicken. Can we add more chickens to our coop? They WILL be free ranging as much as possible.(we gotta let to doggies do their business)

 

[Keltara]

You have enough room for 7 chickens in your coop. Your run is only big enough for 5 chickens tops. The general rule of thumb is 4 sq. ft. per bird for the interior of the coop, and 10 sq. ft. per bird for the run. In light of the fact that you will be free ranging your chickens mostly full time, the smaller run really won't be an issue. The reason you need this amount of space, is because if chickens are confined in it, they will be overcrowded, peck one another, become stressed and the immune systems will be compromised along with the egg laying. If you are free ranging, you won't experience these difficulties. My hens free range daily from dawn till dusk. They are very happy birds. Yours will be too.

 

[4 the Birds]

You have enough room for 7 chickens in your coop. Your run is only big enough for 5 chickens tops. The general rule of thumb is 4 sq. ft. per bird for the interior of the coop, and 10 sq. ft. per bird for the run. In light of the fact that you will be free ranging your chickens mostly full time, the smaller run really won't be an issue. The reason you need this amount of space, is because if chickens are confined in it, they will be overcrowded, peck one another, become stressed and the immune systems will be compromised along with the egg laying. If you are free ranging, you won't experience these difficulties. My hens free range daily from dawn till dusk. They are very happy birds. Yours will be too.

Don't overcrowd and allow for plenty of roost space. Especially Leghorns.... They will probably dominate the Buffs.

 

[NestingHillsSC]

My first coop was 4x5 and 5ft tall. They have a really big area to free range. They never go in the coop except to roost and lay. I had at one time 14 chickens in there. I put up 2 roosting poles. There was plenty of room for them all.

 

[Judy]

I agree that there isn't a hard and fast rule that applies to every situation. I think this is an excellent post that discusses space:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/700308/coop-and-run-size/0_20#post_9504811

 

[Studio2770]

Don't overcrowd and allow for plenty of roost space. Especially Leghorns.... They will probably dominate the Buffs.

We have 3 roosts at different levels. 2 are 4 ft, and the highest is 7 ft. They all roost together on one end of the longest poll!

 

[Studio2770]

My first coop was 4x5 and 5ft tall. They have a really big area to free range. They never go in the coop except to roost and lay. I had at one time 14 chickens in there. I put up 2 roosting poles. There was plenty of room for them all.

Wow, that's a lot of chickens! Our yard is big and they have access to the whole yard. They only go in so the dogs can drink water and do their business, hopefully they can coexist with training.

 

[NestingHillsSC]

Wow, that's a lot of chickens! Our yard is big and they have access to the whole yard. They only go in so the dogs can drink water and do their business, hopefully they can coexist with training.

I have a german shepard that I can now never let out. He kills anything he can catch.

14 chickens isn't a lot. LOL I went from them to 70 in the last 3 months. My 6x6 house I have for the roosters has 3 roosting poles in it. I still have to build the hen side. Which will have a 6x12 house and 6 roosting poles. Both sides have an area 32x64. Here's a pic of the roos side. But have I 25 4 month olds in there right now. roos and hens and all roos nice at night with the two roosting poles and the 6x6 house.

 

[Studio2770]

I have a german shepard that I can now never let out. He kills anything he can catch.

14 chickens isn't a lot. LOL I went from them to 70 in the last 3 months. My 6x6 house I have for the roosters has 3 roosting poles in it. I still have to build the hen side. Which will have a 6x12 house and 6 roosting poles. Both sides have an area 32x64. Here's a pic of the roos side. But have I 25 4 month olds in there right now. roos and hens and all roos nice at night with the two roosting poles and the 6x6 house.

That's to bad they can't coexist. Did you house all 14 in the 5x4 coop or did I read that wrong? We may expand the run under the coop, which would be 28 more square feet. The run looks easier to expand than the coop. I think we can use the extra chicken wire and wire mesh to make simple expansions.

 

[NestingHillsSC]

Yes all 14. But the outside area had plenty of room for them to roam. When you said "That's to bad they can't coexist" who you talking about??
Here is a pic of that area where the PRIR's are in. 9 birds there now. I since painted the house red and white. LOL