I routinely avg 14 Brahmas in a 4x8 coop (not including 14 external nesting boxes), sometimes more. I have never had any aggressive behavior or issues resulting from overcrowding (even with occasionallly 2 roos) There are several reasons that I attribute to this:
1. They free range. They are only in the coop long enough to sleep.
2. I am an early riser. So their coop door is open at dawn or shortly after. Essentially they can fly down and walk outside.
3. Plenty of roosting space! The coop has (3) 4ft roosting rods, plus access to the roof rafters which they love and overhang (soffit) space. Its like "king of the mtn". Higher elevation roosts are status positions.
4. Water is available in multiple locations. 1 in coop and several outside.
5. Food is only in coop becauseof wildlife and rodents, but if # of birds exceeds 10 they have 2 feeding stations in opposite corner nesting boxes
6. New birds are always juveniles unless its a rooster. The juveniles are hatched and raised separately for their safety but in sight until at least 4 mos of age. New roosters are never added until old roosters are removed from flock.
7. Personality. I have yet to have an aggressive bird (beyond normal pecking order type squables). I have only owned Brahmas and Orpingtons so are those breeds known to be more docile?
8. I clean the coop min. twice a month. Sometimes it needs it more often obviously with more birds.
There may be more but the point is there are no hard and fast rules. Yes more space is obviously better. Yes there is risk in having too many birds in a small space. You may find a particularly aggressive bird that needs to be culled. That can happen regardless of flock size. But does that mean it is impossible to have less than 4sf per bird...no. It is an excellent guide and jumping off point, but do not be afraid to add a few more and see how YOUR flock does. With the right birds, the right set up, and system, spatial requirements can be reduced so long as the birds stay healthy and happy.
Even during cold weather and they decide to stay in the coop (they hate walking in the snow even though they have feathered legs) or if we go away and they are cooped up for a weekend, we have never returned to find any issues.
1. They free range. They are only in the coop long enough to sleep.
2. I am an early riser. So their coop door is open at dawn or shortly after. Essentially they can fly down and walk outside.
3. Plenty of roosting space! The coop has (3) 4ft roosting rods, plus access to the roof rafters which they love and overhang (soffit) space. Its like "king of the mtn". Higher elevation roosts are status positions.
4. Water is available in multiple locations. 1 in coop and several outside.
5. Food is only in coop becauseof wildlife and rodents, but if # of birds exceeds 10 they have 2 feeding stations in opposite corner nesting boxes
6. New birds are always juveniles unless its a rooster. The juveniles are hatched and raised separately for their safety but in sight until at least 4 mos of age. New roosters are never added until old roosters are removed from flock.
7. Personality. I have yet to have an aggressive bird (beyond normal pecking order type squables). I have only owned Brahmas and Orpingtons so are those breeds known to be more docile?
8. I clean the coop min. twice a month. Sometimes it needs it more often obviously with more birds.
There may be more but the point is there are no hard and fast rules. Yes more space is obviously better. Yes there is risk in having too many birds in a small space. You may find a particularly aggressive bird that needs to be culled. That can happen regardless of flock size. But does that mean it is impossible to have less than 4sf per bird...no. It is an excellent guide and jumping off point, but do not be afraid to add a few more and see how YOUR flock does. With the right birds, the right set up, and system, spatial requirements can be reduced so long as the birds stay healthy and happy.
Even during cold weather and they decide to stay in the coop (they hate walking in the snow even though they have feathered legs) or if we go away and they are cooped up for a weekend, we have never returned to find any issues.
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