How many chickens can I keep in my coop?

[RoosterHuggerLiz]

I'm planning on going on a vacation soon but I'm worried about my chickens, we have an automatic watering and feed system set up but we haven't installed automatic doors because we've actually lost birds to them.. I currently have 12 free range chickens including two roosters (8 standard 4 bantam). Our coop is 8 ft long - 10 ft wide - 6 ft high -. Is that enough to comfortably house them for about a week while we're on vacation or do I need to get a bird sitter?


I will have a neighbor checking up on them for me throughout the week but my neighbor doesn't want to be responsible for them free ranging so we're thinking about just keeping them in the coop are Coop has great circulation and very well lit

 

[Shmemums]

I've read on here that free-range birds can get very cranky if they are stuck in the coop for a while. I'm not sure about your coop size though because I am new to chickens so I hope someone with more experience can help.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I'm planning on going on a vacation soon but I'm worried about my chickens, we have an automatic watering and feed system set up but we haven't installed automatic doors because we've actually lost birds to them.. I currently have 12 free range chickens including two roosters (8 standard 4 bantam). Our coop is 8 ft long - 10 ft wide - 6 ft high -. Is that enough to comfortably house them for about a week while we're on vacation or do I need to get a bird sitter?


I will have a neighbor checking up on them for me throughout the week but my neighbor doesn't want to be responsible for them free ranging so we're thinking about just keeping them in the coop are Coop has great circulation and very well lit

So coop is 80 sq ft. Normal rules is generally 4 sq ft per bird, but that usually includes a run that they go to in the day time.

That same 80 sq ft is only good to 8 birds as a run.

If you added lots of sight breaks and roost, it might work, but I'd be a bit nervous tbh

 

[RoosterHuggerLiz]

So coop is 80 sq ft. Normal rules is generally 4 sq ft per bird, but that usually includes a run that they go to in the day time.

That same 80 sq ft is only good to 8 birds as a run.

If you added lots of sight breaks and roost, it might work, but I'd be a bit nervous tbh

If anything I'll separate the 4 bantams from the standards and put them inside of our brooder(4ft-6ft) with a significant amount of food and water, could that work? (My bantams are mostly sea bright's)

 

[JacinLarkwell]

If anything I'll separate the 4 bantams from the standards and put them inside of our brooder(4ft-6ft) with a significant amount of food and water, could that work? (My bantams are mostly sea bright's)

The brooder is 4x6?

 

[RoosterHuggerLiz]

The brooder is 4x6?

Yes

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Yes

That might be a better idea. Are both roosters one size or is there one for each grpup?

 

[RoosterHuggerLiz]

That might be a better idea. Are both roosters one size or is there one for each grpup?

One for each group

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Hm.... I'd be hesitant then because of the males. Rhey may not be able to go back together after being sepersted. Will you be having someone check on them wven if they're not being let out?

 

[Brooks_]

None of the options sit well with me. "I" would be more comfortable with the auto door, despite previous losses.