How many chickens fit in the coop?

[FarmsteadLady]

So, I thought I built big enough but maybe there is no such thing.

My coop is approx. 4x8x6, has 8 nesting boxes & 2 roosts. The run is enclosed and is approx. 15x25. I currently have 7 chickens and looking to add 6 more - none are bantams.

Based on those measurements, how many chickens is too many chickens for a coop this size?

Thanks!!

 

[Katy]

You are pretty much at your limit now at 4 square foot (minimum) per bird.

 

[Smoky73]

depends what your dimensions are, we do not need to know the height, and not knowing what number is your height in your measurements, here are some ideas

if you are 4'w x 8'L (or vice versa) thats 32 sq ft, and 4 ft per bird for large fowl, you can have 8 birds.

if its 4'w x 6'L its only 24 sq ft, so only 6 birds

but if its 6'w x 8'L you have 48 sq ft so 12 birds.

hope that helps. I have a large attached run for them, but I still follow the guidlines for inside space because there is always a time in winter or when weather is bad that all the birds will not go out, or sometimes none.

 

[chicmom]

I also have read it's four square feet per chicken. And from experience, it's an accurate measurement. The reason is, if chickens become over crowded, they will literally beat the crap outta eachother. And that means very unhappy, sometimes bald, chickens.

 

[MamaJohnson]

You could maybe add some more floor or roost space by reducing your nest box quantity. Chances are pretty good that your hens will all share just 2 or 3 boxes at the most. My 24 girls are ridiculous - they all love to lay in one of 2 spots in our nest box, depite the fact that it's a comfortable 8 ft. long community box - plenty of options. The girls waiting in line loudly complain and grumble "skwaack, skwaack, skwaack, bu-gaawk" every morning until they get their turn. Makes me chuckle. Spoiled little ladies!

 

[FarmsteadLady]

The width is 4 and the length 8 so I do seem to be at my limit and now I am sad.

I definitely don't want my gals unhappy due to space restrictions and I did say that I was going to ease into this....as if that was truly possible. So, I guess I need to start working on plans for the next coop.

If I did remove the 3 nesting boxes that are one side and did a ladder style roost - would that give me space for at least 2-3 more?

 

[possumqueen]

Quote:

proof positive - as if any were needed - that chickens are addictive, and BYC is a bona fide pusher!!! Welcome to the ranks of the hopeless, FarmsteadLady! Now keep coming back and do your share of recruiting!

 

[tazcat70]

Ok, I am probably gonna get reamed but here goes.

I think their run should also play into the measurements. Even if they don't have access to it 24/7. I have an 8x10 coop. Which is 80sq ft. I have 28 chickens. I am over my limit by 8 chickens. However, they are only in it at night, during the day they have an area that is about 30x60 to run around in. My chickens are not bald from pecking. They all get along, and has their own designated time to go in to the coop at night and their own spots on the roost. I have 3 roosters in that flock.

I agree that when people are building their coop they should build it bigger than they want now, just like buying acreage. You need to have room to expand.

Ok, I am off my soapbox.

 

[FarmsteadLady]

Ok, I am probably gonna get reamed but here goes.

I think their run should also play into the measurements. Even if they don't have access to it 24/7. I have an 8x10 coop. Which is 80sq ft. I have 28 chickens. I am over my limit by 8 chickens. However, they are only in it at night, during the day they have an area that is about 30x60 to run around in. My chickens are not bald from pecking. They all get along, and has their own designated time to go in to the coop at night and their own spots on the roost. I have 3 roosters in that flock.

No reaming from me.....the Chickens for Dummies gives a minimum of 2 sq ft so while 6 would be way too many to add, I am thinking that I can do 1-2 more.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.​

 

[koalaslim]

FWIW I have met plenty of people who go by the 2 square foot per bird rule. My neighbor has 15 birds in a 4x6 foot coop and they are all happy and healthy and laying like crazy.

I for one have a 4x8 foot coop for my flock of 16 birds. However the nest boxes do not take up interior space, and there are lots of roosting bars up high so they can spread out. My run is 10 foot wide and 40 foot long, so outdoor space is plentiful. If I run into problems with the size of my coop I can easily expand it, but I don't anticipate it being an issue.