How many chickens can my coop hold?

[ellie97]

The house part is 300 sq feet in our coop and the run is about 800 sq feet-it's a big coop. We have forty-four chickens in it now-a very happy flock of 11 eight year old hens, twenty-five two month old hens, and two two month old roosters (I think) They don't seem crowded at all now, but most are now only half of their grown-up size. We also have six 1 week old Buff Orpington chicks-sexed as hens. So, there will be forty-four in all. I did the math and it'll be about 7 sq feet of indoor space each and eighteen sq feet of outdoor space each. I've read a bunch of things that say 4 sq ft per hen is sufficient-is this true? If so, I could have up to 70 chickens in there, but that seems insane, and where would they all roost?! I think I'm going to set a 50 chicken maximum for the coop, does that sound about right? Thanks!

 

[Imp]

I think you are fine. Sounds like you have a huge coop and run.
Those numbers you mentioned are rough guidelines and each situation is unique.

Good luck

Imp

 

[Judy]

A lot depends on your climate, too. If they are "cooped up" for a few months due to snow, they need a whole lot more room than if you don't get snow. They will appreciate the 50 for sure. I have a bunch more coop and run than I need, too according to the 4/10 guideline, but I wouldn't want to add many at all. It doesn't snow here, but they use it for shade and breeze in hot weather -- and it's hard to get cool with other bodies too close.

So, as Imp said, it just depends.

 

[Mallory]

I'd just like to say lucky chickens! That coops bigger than my first apartment! haha