How many chickens can we fit?

[kpierce1015]

We are new to raising chickens, and could use some help figuring out how many chickens we could get for the space we have.

We are using an existing structure that was here before we moved in. It's an old truck camper shell on a frame, so its tall enough for us to walk in (7’8” long x 6’ wide x 6‘ tall). The run we have is 10.5' x 6’ if I remember correctly. We plan on expanding the run in the future, though. Our current set up has 2 x 3’6” roosts, which I realize we need to add on, but we were going to switch things around this weekend anyway.

Also, we had big doors on the coup that we planned on leaving open, not sure if that is advisable or if it would be better to just have a small chicken door open all day...

 

[azygous]

Ten chickens. The coop must have perches no less than fifteen feet long total.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Need overall measurements on the coop as well as length of roosts, as well as general location/climate (i.e. extreme cold? long periods of snow?). Your current run can hold up to 6.

While you can leave people doors open instead of installing a pop door just for chickens, you need to make sure that 1) the people doors don't let in rain/snow/excessive wind and 2) that the people doors can't accidentally slam shut. This is why pop doors are generally safer to leave open.

 

[aart]

What they said^^^^
Except with a 10x6 run, I'd keep it at 6 birds or less.

Oh, and.... Welcome to BYC! @kpierce1015
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!

 

[kpierce1015]

Thanks everyone

@rosemarythyme @aart
I edited my original post to add the dimensions, which are:
7’8” long x 6’ wide x 6’ tall for the coup
10’5” long x 6’ wide which we plan to expand
we need to rearrange inside and add more roosts this weekend, but we currently have 2 roosts that are 3’6”

We live in North Texas btw, about 30 mins north of downtown Fort Worth.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Currently you can fit about 6. If you can expand the run sooner rather than later (and be realistic about when you can get to it) plus expand the roosts, you can fit a few more. The coop, assuming those measurements are all usable floor space, can fit 10-11.

For your reference the numbers I'm using are 4 sq ft per hen inside, 10 sq ft in run, 1' per bird on roost. Those are minimums so if you can exceed minimum, especially in run space, that would be ideal.

Any photos of the coop? Curious about layout, ventilation, predator proofing, etc.