How many chickens can fit

[BigBlueHen53]

I realise that but they are very friendly for isa browns. They only get fiesty over food but if no food is involved they are even friendly to baby silkies

Cool! So how big is the coop, in feet x feet?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Just as a guesstimate since you don't have measurements posted but I don't see how your current flock fit in there without being forced to "squeeze together." It's not just about floor space. There's not enough ventilation to vent ammonia, not enough space to add roosts (I don't even see any anyhow?)

 

[Gaming ducky]

Just as a guesstimate since you don't have measurements posted but I don't see how your current flock fit in there without being forced to "squeeze together." It's not just about floor space. There's not enough ventilation to vent ammonia, not enough space to add roosts (I don't even see any anyhow?)

I only have 4 atm they are best buds and always have been from birth and they only sleep in there and free range all day

 

[rosemarythyme]

I only have 4 atm they are best buds and always have been from birth and they only sleep in there and free range all day

Yes but you want to have a total of 8 in there now, and those 8 haven't always been together. Integration takes up space.

 

[3KillerBs]

From an article I'm writing:

For each adult, standard-sized hen you need:

• 4 square feet in the coop,
• 10 square feet in the run,
• 1 linear foot of roost,
• 1/4 of a nest box,
• And 1 square foot of permanent, 24/7/365 ventilation, preferably located over the birds' heads when they're sitting on the roost.

8 hens

• 32 square feet in the coop. 4'x8' is approaching the limits for a non-walk-in coop even with the access door in the middle. 6'x6' should be walk-in because even the tallest chicken-keeper won't be able to reach the far wall.
• 8 feet of roost
• 80 square feet in the run. 8'x10' is a nice looking number but, remembering the common dimensions of lumber, a roomier 8'x12' is actually easier to build. 6'x14' looks good on paper but would require a lot of weird cuts.
• 8 square feet of ventilation.
• 2-3 nest boxes.

When do you need more than the minimums?

Integration/Flock replacement

The most obvious reason to need extra space is the desire to have more chickens and/or the need to replace retiring layers in order to ensure a continuing supply of eggs. Chickens are territorial and the tighter the quarters the more vigorously they will defend that territory.

Here are some useful articles on integration:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/my-coop-brooder-and-integration.74591/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-new-chickens-using-the-“see-but-don’t-touch”-method.67839/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/adding-to-your-flock.47756/

My integration pen inside my oversized run:

And again, for a different batch -- this time with the entire brooder inside the run:

 

[BigBlueHen53]

From an article I'm writing:

For each adult, standard-sized hen you need:

• 4 square feet in the coop,
• 10 square feet in the run,
• 1 linear foot of roost,
• 1/4 of a nest box,
• And 1 square foot of permanent, 24/7/365 ventilation, preferably located over the birds' heads when they're sitting on the roost.

8 hens

• 32 square feet in the coop. 4'x8' is approaching the limits for a non-walk-in coop even with the access door in the middle. 6'x6' should be walk-in because even the tallest chicken-keeper won't be able to reach the far wall.
• 8 feet of roost
• 80 square feet in the run. 8'x10' is a nice looking number but, remembering the common dimensions of lumber, a roomier 8'x12' is actually easier to build. 6'x14' looks good on paper but would require a lot of weird cuts.
• 8 square feet of ventilation.
• 2-3 nest boxes.

When do you need more than the minimums?

Integration/Flock replacement

The most obvious reason to need extra space is the desire to have more chickens and/or the need to replace retiring layers in order to ensure a continuing supply of eggs. Chickens are territorial and the tighter the quarters the more vigorously they will defend that territory.

Here are some useful articles on integration:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/my-coop-brooder-and-integration.74591/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-new-chickens-using-the-“see-but-don’t-touch”-method.67839/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/adding-to-your-flock.47756/

My integration pen inside my oversized run:

And again, for a different batch -- this time with the entire brooder inside the run:

Good info, but I'm sad bc all if the links to your pics are broken. For me, anyway.

 

[McChooky]

My 6 day old pullets had a 30 sq ft coop and a 48 sq ft run when I started making them a 120 sq ft addition so they'd have more room.They were starting to show signs of aggression but it stopped when I finished the addition to the run. Cramming them together does more harm than good.Mine are only 18 weeks old.

 

[3KillerBs]

Good info, but I'm sad bc all if the links to your pics are broken. For me, anyway.

How odd. I can see them.

Maybe because it's not published yet?

 

[McChooky]

How odd. I can see them.

Maybe because it's not published yet?

I can see them too.I thought about screenshots but decided against it as I don't think she'd see them either

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I can see them too.I thought about screenshots but decided against it as I don't think she'd see them either

Thanks. I should be able to see a screenshot, I would think?