How many chickens can I have and still have happy chickens?

[greggooo]

Hi all! I wonder if anyone can lend their expertise. We bought 6 baby chicks, sexed as hens from Meyer Hatchery. Well, one is a boy. We raised him and adore him, so we are keeping him. My question is: with the size of our coop and run, could we get a couple more hens and still have happy Chickens?
The run size is around 162 sf plus another 28 that goes under the coop that we haven't opened for them yet. The coop is just around 28 sf. We really want happy chickens. We saw a much smaller coop and run for sale that claimed it housed 18 chickens and couldn't imagine they'd be happy. Would we be able to fit 2-3 (Meyer only sells in 3s) and still have a happy flock?

Thank you!!!
Here's the coop.

 

[Pork Pie]

http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-much-room-do-chickens-need

 

[Jetblack2004]

That would easily fit 6 happy chooks!! It looks like a good run for them. They'll have plenty of space to move around in.
Your chickens will be VERY happy. Guaranteed.
-Jet

 

[Folly's place]

Your coop is large enough for maybe five birds, if they will be locked in every night. If your run (I see that it's roofed!) is predator proof, and can be considered coop space, you could add more birds. I'd think hard about that space under your coop; how will you clean it out? Get eggs? Retrieve a sick or dead bird? It looks like a useless bird space, and possible rodent heaven. Hope you have a cat or little dog who can get under it, or totally rat proof it and forget about having birds there.
My coop and covered run are now safe enough to be considered all coop space, and it works great when the birds are locked in because of predators or deep snow. I have a total of 350 sq. ft., and overwintered 30 standard and 15 bantam birds last year. This year I plan to have no more than 40 total, and it should be good. I wrap double sheets of clear plastic around the lower six feet of my run for winter, so there's still plenty of upper ventilation, and wind protection. Mary

 

[greggooo]

Your coop is large enough for maybe five birds, if they will be locked in every night. If your run (I see that it's roofed!) is predator proof, and can be considered coop space, you could add more birds. I'd think hard about that space under your coop; how will you clean it out? Get eggs? Retrieve a sick or dead bird? It looks like a useless bird space, and possible rodent heaven. Hope you have a cat or little dog who can get under it, or totally rat proof it and forget about having birds there.
My coop and covered run are now safe enough to be considered all coop space, and it works great when the birds are locked in because of predators or deep snow. I have a total of 350 sq. ft., and overwintered 30 standard and 15 bantam birds last year. This year I plan to have no more than 40 total, and it should be good. I wrap double sheets of clear plastic around the lower six feet of my run for winter, so there's still plenty of upper ventilation, and wind protection. Mary

The coop door does open, so there is total access into the coop, and there is a nesting box that sticks out the side that you cannot see. The entire structure including under the coop is predator proof. .5" hardware cloth has been secured on each side and stretches out 2.5 feet as a predator apron. Unless its a small mouse, I don't see any rats getting in there.

 

[kitkat5505]

I'll only say that I have 10 happy chickens in a space smaller than yours.

 

[greggooo]

I'll only say that I have 10 happy chickens in a space smaller than yours.

Thank you!!

 

[aart]

Does the run have a solid roof?
Might want to block off sides of run to keep snow out of there,
leaving some open space at top for ventilation.
Do you have a way to keep snow load off roofs?

I would not add more birds to that coop, it's about minimal for 6 birds in your climate.
Adding birds, integration, is best accomplished with extra and separate space.
Might want to hold off until spring to add more birds, get thru your first winter.
But....
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

This used to be a better search, new format has reduced it's efficacy, but still:
Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading, BUT some info is outdated IMO:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock