How many chickens will fit? 8?

[black_cat]

I'd like to build a 6x6 coop with a 13x6 attached run. The nesting boxes are external and there is about 12 square feet of ventilation, possibly more. There are 2x6 poop boards along 2 sides of the coop, 2 feet up. I was hoping to fit 8, maybe 9, birds. Thoughts?

 

[black_cat]

I'll be out so won't be able to reply for a while, but any advice is appreciated.

 

[RojoMarz]

My first thought...too much poop boards. If you do 2 at 2' wide, and across from each other, that is 4' of floor space. Leaving only 2' of floor space in the center. How will they mount/dismount the roosts that are likely on top of the poop boards. How will the hens access the nesting boxes? How will you collect eggs. Our boxes are external, but eggs are collected from inside the coop.

Or are you thinking an "L" configuration for the boards? If so, the short leg wouldn't actually be 6' long. Would give more floor space though.

 

[black_cat]

My first thought...too much poop boards. If you do 2 at 2' wide, and across from each other, that is 4' of floor space. Leaving only 2' of floor space in the center. How will they mount/dismount the roosts that are likely on top of the poop boards. How will the hens access the nesting boxes? How will you collect eggs. Our boxes are external, but eggs are collected from inside the coop.

Or are you thinking an "L" configuration for the boards? If so, the short leg wouldn't actually be 6' long. Would give more floor space though.

Nesting boxes are accessed from outside. Poop boards are kinda in an L? Here's the sketch that I did:

In the top left corner you can see the sketch. It's to scale, with one square being 6 inches square. The poop boards are 2 feet off the ground so there is plenty of space for the chickens to be under them. There is a ramp up to the poop boards for easy access.

 

[black_cat]

So, thoughts? I'm pretty sure that this could fit 8, maybe squeeze 9? If one is a smaller breed like a silkie or a hamburg?

 

[3KillerBs]

6'x6' = 36 square feet. Divided by 4 = 9. So that looks good there.

13'x6' = 78 square feet. Divided by 10 = 7.9 -- so probably OK for 8 but unlikely for 9.

IIRC, the Hamburgs are an active breed that actually need more space than average despite being smaller.

Of course all these numbers are theoretical and real world practice doesn't always line up with theory. Some people have theoretically over-crowded chickens work out fine. Others have problems with chickens that theoretically have plenty of space.

 

[21hens-incharge]

The run is a bit small at 78 square feet.

How will you reach everything to clean in the coop?
You will also need to be able to access every inch under the coop as well because chickens will hide there if feeling sick, broody or like being difficult. Crawling under won't be pleasant.

Hamburgs ARE smaller. They are also super active and do not like confinement. If letting them out into the yard be aware that I had a couple hamburgs clear a 9' tall building with zero take off space. Scared the daylights out of me!

 

[black_cat]

6'x6' = 36 square feet. Divided by 4 = 9. So that looks good there.

13'x6' = 78 square feet. Divided by 10 = 7.9 -- so probably OK for 8 but unlikely for 9.

IIRC, the Hamburgs are an active breed that actually need more space than average despite being smaller.

Of course all these numbers are theoretical and real world practice doesn't always line up with theory. Some people have theoretically over-crowded chickens work out fine. Others have problems with chickens that theoretically have plenty of space.

Oh, I didn't know that about hamburgs! Thanks. This is the most space that I can use in the yard, *maybe* pushing the run out 1 foot for 14x6.

 

[black_cat]

It he run is a bit small at 78 square feet.

How will you reach everything to clean in the coop?
You will also need to be able to access every inch under the coop as well because chickens will hide there if feeling sick, broody or like being difficult. Crawling under won't be pleasant.

Hamburgs ARE smaller. They are also super active and do not like confinement. If letting them out into the yard be aware that I had a couple hamburgs clear a 9' tall building with zero take off space. Scared the daylights out of me!

There are two access doors, on opposite sides, that open up most of the wall. I'm able to fit inside, and the nesting boxes open up from the outside. I understand that crawling under won't be great, but I have very limited space. The most space I can do for the whole setup is probably 13x6, *maybe* 14x6 if I can convince my parents. I'm trying to optimize the space so I'm putting run wherever I can, which means under the coop and nesting boxes. I could add a door that opens into that under part, for easier access.

 

[3KillerBs]

Oh, I didn't know that about hamburgs! Thanks. This is the most space that I can use in the yard, *maybe* pushing the run out 1 foot for 14x6.

They were on my initial breed list because of their great beauty but when I asked around here and read more about them than just the hatchery descriptions (in which all chickens are AWESOME), I realized that they wouldn't be able to tolerate the conditions for my in-town flock.