How many chickens for this size coop/ run?

[jwyles]

They need GET AWAY SPACE from bullies..View attachment 1235445

So how many do you think?

 

[ChickNanny13]

My Hubby built me an Enclosure (can't call it a coop nor run) 8x12x7 = 96 sq ft I divided it by 14 sq ft = 6.8 chickens Not having the pleasure of living rural it's my way to keep Chicken Math at bay I "limit" myself to 4 BO due to their size. But been thinking maybe another Enclosure

 

[jwyles]

My Hubby built me an Enclosure (can't call it a coop nor run) 8x12x7 = 96 sq ft I divided it by 14 sq ft = 6.8 chickens Not having the pleasure of living rural it's my way to keep Chicken Math at bay I "limit" myself to 4 BO due to their size. But been thinking maybe another Enclosure

Beautiful! I love the green! I'm sure my hubby wishes I had your restraint! I just closed in the old run to convert to coop and opened the doors until new run is built lol! Chicken math for the win. Good or bad they are my favorite most fulfilling hobby so I'm adding a few more and that's just how it is. I'm in town too but ALL of my neighbors have more chickens than me and I'm the only one without a roo, but that's about to change!

 

[Lazy Farmer]

So how many do you think?

The coop is primarily for egg production and siesta, the run needs to accommodate the strong/weak/bullies/wimps. The run can never be big enough more than too small. It needs cover FROM THE SKY. Raptors are hungry.

I have a 9 x 12 coop and adding a 12 x 13 run. How many f/s chickens could be maintained in this? Coop will have an opening for f/t access to run. Just FYI I currently have 9 adult hens and 1 cockerel growing out.

Without a roo your addition would be fine in my opinion. But you are pushing the envelope. No room to be comfortable with future stock. Why keep expanding when you can go bigger now, so later when chicken math gets the best of you, you are not laboring twice-3 times.. 4..

 

[jwyles]

The coop is primarily for egg production and siesta, the run needs to accommodate the strong/weak/bullies/wimps. The run can never be big enough more than too small. It needs cover FROM THE SKY. Raptors are hungry.

Without a roo your addition would be fine in my opinion. But you are pushing the envelope. No room to be comfortable with future stock. Why keep expanding when you can go bigger now, so later when chicken math gets the best of you, you are not laboring twice-3 times.. 4..View attachment 1235465

Right now I have 9 hens. All raised from chicks together. Soon 1 roo will be added. 2 of them are bantams and wil soon be separated (I didn't make that point initially) so in total will be 7 hens and 1 roo all altogether. My total square footage is approx250 sq ft of which approx 100 is coop the rest is run. You don't think if I allow my roo to breed with my hens I could keep some of the pullets? Like maybe 6-8?

ETA- I have no plans of keeping bullies or trouble makers.

 

[junebuggena]

Chicken math is a serious problem. I just finished a smaller breeding coop/run today that is just the right size for three or four hens. I'll be working on a second setup tomorrow, while the sun shines. I also have two rabbit tractors that house chickens on occasion, when I don't have a batch of bunnies to raise.
Meanwhile, I've got chicks in my grow-out coop, chicks in the brooder, and eggs in the incubator. Plus, I'll be ordering a surprise box from Cackle that will be about 40-50 babies. I might be addicted...

 

[jwyles]

Chicken math is a serious problem. I just finished a smaller breeding coop/run today that is just the right size for three or four hens. I'll be working on a second setup tomorrow, while the sun shines. I also have two rabbit tractors that house chickens on occasion, when I don't have a batch of bunnies to raise.
Meanwhile, I've got chicks in my grow-out coop, chicks in the brooder, and eggs in the incubator. Plus, I'll be ordering a surprise box from Cackle that will be about 40-50 babies. I might be addicted...

@junebuggena sounds like heaven to me! I'm limiting myself to my own hatched pullets for now and will only hatch a few eggs st a time but it's tuff!!! I need a farm of my own like yesterday!

 

[junebuggena]

I've only got an acre. I'm running out of room...

 

[Mrs. K]

Just remember chicken math needs to go both ways, you can add, but you need to subtract too. The more is better is often not the case with chickens. Very ugly behavior can develop when the birds are over crowded.

In the north, the size of the run or free ranging has limited effect on the very long nights of winter. My birds are often roosted up for close to 14-16 hours a day. Not because I make them, just the days are short and often cloudy.

In the long days of summer, you can cheat a bit. Usually one adds chicks which of course are small... but come the fall, one needs to be very strict with oneself, and reduce the total flock to take in the effects of molt and the short winter days. At this time, more is not better.

Mrs K