How many chickens can fit in a 150 foot run with a large coop?

[21hens-incharge]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/

There are a lot of really good articles written by experienced keepers. It is well worth looking at more than just the coops (which are a great recourse full of inspiration).

 

[BigBlueHen53]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/

There are a lot of really good articles written by experienced keepers. It is well worth looking at more than just the coops (which are a great recourse full of inspiration).

Thanks, that's what I was hoping for! Some of these are AMAZING, but you can get good ideas from them. I mean they make me want to remodel my house, lol!

We bought an 8x10 shed from the local Mennonites and had them modify it for us a little bit, it's worked well for us but I'm wishing we'd put it on a cement pad as we get a lot of rain and it's listing a bit. Also we get snakes under it and have had to block skunks from getting under. I know, ew!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

PS - we currently have 23 birds in our coop which means we are slightly over populated, but we anticipate a little attrition over time.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Eh... that's not too far over. I find that coop size is relative. Mine is used only for sleeping/nesting, so it doesn't have to be as big as it would be for someone who has to lock their birds in the coop during winter, etc. My coop just has to have enough roost space. I currently have 8 feet of roost to accommodate my 5 big girls and the three babies that are in my brooder. But my 5 pullets all cram on one 4 ft section. Lol! Silly biddies...

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Lol, @Aunt Angus ! Mine do the same thing! Pleny of room for everbiddy, but they would rather roost on top of each other! Snuggle buddies!

 

[aart]

I am considering adding to my flock because I seem to be obsessed with my precious chickens.

Please, get thru your first winter before adding any more birds. You have a lot to learn and some work to do before more birds. They are like potato chips aren't they? Ya just want more!

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Great posts here.....

You guys, NO lol. I think the math is way off on this. First, the coop is IN the 150sq ft run so you have to subtract that from the run.

I’m assuming the entire prefab coop and run is 3x5. So the area that is enclosed from the elements is TINY ...like not really enough for the birds you already have....

Correct me if I’m wrong about how you are measuring.

You are absolutely correct!

.the coop can barely hold 2-3 birds comfortably. Which is indeed why your birds are roosting on top of it like owl bait.

Yep!

Perhaps you could modify your current prefab coop by enclosing the run and adding another roost inside...that way you could at least *mostly* accommodate your current birds more comfortably? I wouldn’t add anymore to that set up but at least your current flock would be safe at night.

A common (almost)cure for those dollhouse coops is to turn the whole thing into an enclosed coop.

 

[Chef JimmyJ]

It amazes me the total disconnect with reality the manufacturers of these Prefab Coops have. I laugh every time I see a 3' × 4' Coop being labeled, " Good for up to 12 Chickens." Their advertising photo makes the coop look huge...Until you see one Up Close.
You can take it to heart when the Experienced folks here say 4 Square Feet per Bird. Looking at those tiny Peeps in Tractor Supply, the Prefab Coops look like a Mansion for them. Suddenly it's 12 weeks later and your 6 , Half Grown, SIX POUND JERSEY GIANTS are standing, shoulder to shoulder, and looking at you wondering...What the Heck were you Thinking!?!?...JJ

 

[TheRusticRebel]

This thread made me do more math...and I only have space for 5 more chickens....

 

[TheRusticRebel]

Currently my girls have 5.5 sq ft per bird in the coop and 150 sq ft per bird in the chicken yard. I have 13 hens.

 

[aart]

This thread made me do more math...and I only have space for 5 more chickens....

Currently my girls have 5.5 sq ft per bird in the coop and 150 sq ft per bird in the chicken yard. I have 13 hens.

The 'math' is only a general guideline...it's not finite as with most other applications of math.