How many chickens can fit in my coop

[Andrewdp123]

I have one coop already but im looking to expand and build a 10' by 12' foot coop and i was wondering how many will comfortably fit...And as long as I have a thread up how many boxes should I have in a coop of around 30...And I guess I should ask if anyone has an idea why my chicks start developing in my incubator and then die in the earlier stages? Thanks

 

[ThomsonCentennialFarm]

30 chickens at the recommended 4 sq. ft. per chicken. This is assuming you are free ranging or have a pen for them, which should have 10 sq. ft. per chicken. I would put 5 nest boxes in but they will probably all lay in one or two of them!

 

[Andrewdp123]

Thanks I have 21 or 22 right now in a slightly smaller coop that free range during the day and I have to catch them all to put them in at night..And they have like 6 nesting boxes but only use the first two usually and lay some in the corner...But lately ive been finding them around the yard more often...My new coop wont have them free ranging though..How big should I make the runner for about 30?

 

[fried green eggs]

Most seem to use the 4 sq ft per chicken rule about coop size ie. 30 in a 10x12 and 10 sq ft per chicken for run if, not free ranged. Kind of depends on Winter climate and if, they will be locked in. I'm doing my first run in home-made bator now but you can use the Search for incubating & hatching to find possible answers. Just type in your question and it will bring up all kinds of info.

 

[ThomsonCentennialFarm]

For an enclosed run, it needs to be 300 sq. ft. for 30 chickens. So, 15x20 feet, or whatever math works for you.

My chickens go out in all weather, so they have the minimum 4 sq. ft. inside the coop but more than 10 sq. ft. each in the run.

 

[Andrewdp123]

Thanks guys