How many chickens can I put here?

[black_cat]

Keep what higher?

The amount of space that each bird has.

 

[black_cat]

So the main pen is 5'x6'?

I wondered if you had gained a bit of space using under the nest box. That was good use of that space.

I really don't think you have enough space to integrate without a lot of troubles.

Keep doing your research.

The main pen (tall pen) is 6x6. This is attached to the under coop pen, which is 5x6. I definitely gained some space, there, and it would have been waaaay harder to fence if I hadn't done it like that, so it was good all around.

 

[CHlCKEN]

Technically if I cleared it out, my run could fit 30 chickens at 8 square feet each, but I spend all day in it and no way that would be comfortable or even work.

You gotta use your brain, not the calculator.

 

[CHlCKEN]

The amount of space that each bird has.

Good, because that’s what they need.

 

[CHlCKEN]

I still have to think this over a lot.

So do your parents

 

[CHlCKEN]

At 12 square feet per bird I could add 11 hens... hmm. I still don’t think that’s right.

What’s a good square footage per bird when it comes to run space?

 

[21hens-incharge]

At 12 square feet per bird I could add 11 hens... hmm. I still don’t think that’s right.

What’s a good square footage per bird when it comes to run space?

Minimum to avoid fights and overcrowding is 10 square foot per bird. Some do ok with less some require more.

 

[CHlCKEN]

@black_cat if I were you, I would feel comfortable adding no more than three new birds to your run, probably two.

Also they would have to be Speckled Sussexes or the whole plan just falls through.

 

[CHlCKEN]

Minimum to avoid fights and overcrowding is 10 square foot per bird. Some do ok with less some require more.

So my run really could fit 12-15 more birds?! It’s 220 square feet, I have 7 birds right now.

I’ll be right back, I’m going to go check hatchery availability....

 

[Aunt Angus]

Is there a place you can pick up chicks? Like a feed store or a local breeder? You could get 2 then. Your setup seems ok for 6 unless behavior issues arise. You will def need temporary space for integration.

Full disclosure: My opinion is a little skewed because after my chickens had a big yard to roam in, confining them makes it seem like they're cramped. It's like downsizing your TV. A 60 in TV will seem tiny if you used to have a 72 in (for illustration purposes only - I have a 42 in, and it seems ginormous in my little house - lol). My flock if 9 have about 780 sq ft (coop + covered run + fenced chicken yard) and I still want to give them more. I think I have a problem....