How many chickens can I fit?

[supchicks]

OK, my chicks haven't even arrived yet and the chicken math has begun. I ordered 4 but I'm considering bumping it up to 6. I'm just not sure how many I can safely and comfortably fit in our coop and run. I'm a bit confused about the square footage needed per chicken when we have a coop and an attached run. They'll get a bit of free-range time out of the run in the summer once I'm home from work, but most of the time they'll be in their coop/run.

Here are the dimensions:
Coop = 58" x 42" and three nest boxes that are in addition to that size.

Run = 4' x 16' plus another little 4'x4' tacked on the side.

So, with that in mind, should I stick with the 4 or add 2 more? Thanks!

 

[XxMingirlxX]

Welcome to BYC, hens having enough space is important.
What types of hens are you getting?
I reckon your run is big enough for six but chicken math is evil and I don't want to give you leeway! I would go for four or five, if you think you have enough room once they are in moved in then you should consider getting more. That's better than having too many and it causing the hens to be stressed. You can always add more later.

Hope that helps

 

[supchicks]

We're getting two Red Sex Links and two Barred Plymouth Rocks - I'm so excited! I guess part of my worry is that I'll end up with a rooster in the Plymouth Rocks or that one or more of the chicks won't survive. It's my first time raising them so I'm super paranoid. My husband says I've read more books on chickens in the last year than I did on having babies when I was pregnant

 

[XxMingirlxX]

We're getting two Red Sex Links and two Barred Plymouth Rocks - I'm so excited! I guess part of my worry is that I'll end up with a rooster in the Plymouth Rocks or that one or more of the chicks won't survive. It's my first time raising them so I'm super paranoid. My husband says I've read more books on chickens in the last year than I did on having babies when I was pregnant 

Haha, having chickens is awesome! It's so good to hear that you are reading up and are worried in a way because it really gets my goat when people get a new pet on a whim and end up rehoming or mistreating it through their own ignorance.

I must warn you though, I can see the beginnings of chicken math and I'm afraid there is no cure. It gets progressively worse until you are found building extensions to the run totally unaware in the middle of the night and order too many new chicks 'accidentally'.

I have a special kind of chicken math, it involves me cooking extra portions of meals so that I have more leftovers to give to the chickens

 

[aart]

I would not add another 2, your coop is barely big enough for 4.... especially with the winters you get.

 

[supchicks]

You've piqued my interest, aart. What's the connection between the size of the coop and the cold weather?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

You've piqued my interest, aart. What's the connection between the size of the coop and the cold weather?

Chickens will often opt to spend more time inside during foul weather - this negates the "extra space" afforded them by the run, etc and makes the space available to them within the coop itself that much more important. During times when the birds prefer to stay inside issues that can arise from overcrowding (picking, aggression, etc) become more likely.

 

[supchicks]

Well, that makes sense. We've put a shingled roof over the run and I'm going to put some plastic around parts of it in the winter so I'm hoping that encourages them to get outside more often. A friend on the same street as us has red sex links and they were outside scratching all winter except on our coldest days so I'm hoping we'll do OK. Sounds like 4 is more than enough for me!

 

[aart]

Quote: Yep.
My run does not have a solid roof and most do not like to walk on the snow at all, especially if it's more than 1-2" deep.
I shovel part of the run and small part of it is under the coop.