How many chickens can i fit?

[harleyguy927]

I taught my hens to sleep in the coop. So every night at sun down they go to bed. Where I live the weather changes quickly. I didn't want to run the risk of chickens getting caught in a storm during the night while I'm asleep. They have a large run that they all day but they know to head inside at dark, or when a storm comes. Chickens kinda become night blind, I guess is the best way to put it. If they are used to sleeping outside at night then they more than likely won't seek shelter in the coop during a night storm. Even if they sleep in a coop, if they don't make it to bed by sundown they risk not making it shelter. 27 degrees is still below freezing and they will need cover from the breeze.

 

[PeeperKeeper99]

I would not put more than 3-4 standard sized hens, or 6-8 bantams, in that space, unless they free range for a good part of the day. The more you crowd them in, the greater the risk of bullying and feather picking.

Frankly, I would not keep a rooster in that small a space, because the hens won't have enough space to get away from him. All of his mating efforts will be focused on just a few hens, so he is likely to wear the feathers off their backs and/or shoulders by mating with them frequently.

My chickens get a good four hours free range, and i have a separate area for my roo when he gets naughty!

 

[PeeperKeeper99]

I taught my hens to sleep in the coop. So every night at sun down they go to bed. Where I live the weather changes quickly. I didn't want to run the risk of chickens getting caught in a storm during the night while I'm asleep. They have a large run that they all day but they know to head inside at dark, or when a storm comes. Chickens kinda become night blind, I guess is the best way to put it. If they are used to sleeping outside at night then they more than likely won't seek shelter in the coop during a night storm. Even if they sleep in a coop, if they don't make it to bed by sundown they risk not making it shelter. 27 degrees is still below freezing and they will need cover from the breeze.

i have a good insulated coop with a heat lamp for those extra chilly nights!

 

[flewdacoop]

again i will say you will be fine. my coop is set up where they are not locked in at night they can go in and out as they please just like if they were free ranging they have a spot to get off the ground and it is covered so if it starts to rain the noise is the only thing going to wake them.. like i seen before we shelter our chickens alot more than they were ever shelterd in past years they just ran around the farm and found their spots they liked to roost and places they like to sleep and were fed right off the ground..i do have a nice coop for them but if i had a lot of land they would never be locked up they just need a place to get so they fill safe.. crazy how far we have come with our coops from just a free range style of life..

 

[janinepeters]

My chickens get a good four hours free range, and i have a separate area for my roo when he gets naughty!

Then you will probably be fine with your plans for adding a roo and a few more hens.

 

[PeeperKeeper99]

Thanks guys! i greatly appreciate the help, i will go with my original plan.