How many chickens will fit in this coop & run?

[Ambersquared]

Hi all! First time momma here and want to see how many chickens will live here HAPPILY.
Dimensions for coop
4x 4 feet
Dimensions for run including under the coop
4 x 9 feet

I’m thinking of extending the run to the shape of an L eventually but want see how many will be happy here pre extension. Edit: we currently have 4 and want to see if we can add more or hold off.

Thanks in advance!

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC. Where, in general, are you? Climate matters, especially when it comes to housing.

A 4x4 coop is about right for 4 hens. But 4x9 in the run is a bit short of the recommended 40 square feet for 4 hens.

Here are some numbers for you:

The Usual Guidelines

For each adult, standard-sized hen you need:

• 4 square feet in the coop (.37 square meters)
• 10 square feet in the run (.93 square meters),
• 1 linear foot of roost (.3 meters),
• 1/4 of a nest box,
• And 1 square foot (.09 square meters) of permanent, 24/7/365 ventilation, preferably located over the birds' heads when they're sitting on the roost.

4 hens

• 16 square feet in the coop. 4'x4' is the only really practical build for this given the common dimensions of lumber.
• 4 feet of roost
• 40 square feet in the run. 4'x10' or 5'x8'. 6'x6' is a bit too small, 6'x8' is more generous and easier to build than 5'x8'.
• 4 square feet of ventilation. A 2'x2' window is theoretically enough, but in practice doesn't create any air FLOW so better to spread the venting around (and even better to exceed the minimums, especially in warm climates).
• 2 nest boxes, to give the hens a choice

It might be the angle that you took the photos at, but I don't see any ventilation at all in that coop. ??

This is my first coop, which was designed to meet all the minimums for 4 chickens: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-little-monitor-coop.76275/

 

[Ted Brown]

The common advice on BYC is a minimum of 4 sq ft of coop,10 sq ft of run and 1 sq ft per bird of ventilation in the coop.

Based on those recommendations your 4 birds have sufficient space but insufficient ventilation.

Your location will impact this but will not increase the number.

 

[Ambersquared]

Welcome to BYC. Where, in general, are you? Climate matters, especially when it comes to housing.

A 4x4 coop is about right for 4 hens. But 4x9 in the run is a bit short of the recommended 40 square feet for 4 hens.

Here are some numbers for you:

The Usual Guidelines

For each adult, standard-sized hen you need:

• 4 square feet in the coop (.37 square meters)
• 10 square feet in the run (.93 square meters),
• 1 linear foot of roost (.3 meters),
• 1/4 of a nest box,
• And 1 square foot (.09 square meters) of permanent, 24/7/365 ventilation, preferably located over the birds' heads when they're sitting on the roost.

4 hens

• 16 square feet in the coop. 4'x4' is the only really practical build for this given the common dimensions of lumber.
• 4 feet of roost
• 40 square feet in the run. 4'x10' or 5'x8'. 6'x6' is a bit too small, 6'x8' is more generous and easier to build than 5'x8'.
• 4 square feet of ventilation. A 2'x2' window is theoretically enough, but in practice doesn't create any air FLOW so better to spread the venting around (and even better to exceed the minimums, especially in warm climates).
• 2 nest boxes, to give the hens a choice

It might be the angle that you took the photos at, but I don't see any ventilation at all in that coop. ??

This is my first coop, which was designed to meet all the minimums for 4 chickens: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-little-monitor-coop.76275/

Thank you for this information. The whole front is ventilation that will have hardware cloth! Does this look okay?

 

[Ambersquared]

The common advice on BYC is a minimum of 4 sq ft of coop,10 sq ft of run and 1 sq ft per bird of ventilation in the coop.

Based on those recommendations your 4 birds have sufficient space but insufficient ventilation.

Your location will impact this but will not increase the number.

Thank you for the information. I have ventilation on the top in the front of the coop that I plan to have hardware cloth installed. Right now I’m mainly using the run for the chicks to get out of the brooder while they fully feather on warm days. I’m in Pennsylvania in the US. Is this enough?

 

[3KillerBs]

Thank you for this information. The whole front is ventilation that will have hardware cloth! Does this look okay?

What are the actual measurements of the vents?

Most likely you need to add similar vents at the bottom of the roof slope so that air can flow freely to carry heat, moisture, and ammonia out of the coop.

You'll also need some awnings or extended roof overhangs to keep the weather out.

 

[Hope4Hennsyvania]

Hi all! First time momma here and want to see how many chickens will live here HAPPILY.
Dimensions for coop
4x 4 feet
Dimensions for run including under the coop
4 x 9 feet

I’m thinking of extending the run to the shape of an L eventually but want see how many will be happy here pre extension. Edit: we currently have 4 and want to see if we can add more or hold off.

Thanks in advance!

I LOVE that coop and am trying to build one almost exactly like it. 4 fullsize hens should do well in the coop and i think you're right to extend the run. If you're in for tough winters in yojr area keep in mind theyll spend more time inside than theyve been past few months and need some room not to start abusing each other.

 

[Ambersquared]

What are the actual measurements of the vents?

Most likely you need to add similar vents at the bottom of the roof slope so that air can flow freely to carry heat, moisture, and ammonia out of the coop.

You'll also need some awnings or extended roof overhangs to keep the weather out.

I just got some from Home Depot that I plan to install! See pic below. Ventilation is 43 inches long and about 8 inches wide. I’m in Pennsylvania in the US

 

[3KillerBs]

I just got some from Home Depot that I plan to install! See pic below. Ventilation is 43 inches long and about 8 inches wide. I’m in Pennsylvania in the US

8" x 43" adds up to about 2.3 square feet. So you would be best off doubling that with additional venting on the bottom of the roof slope.

IMO fresh air is one of the most important things you can do to keep your birds in good health.

 

[Ambersquared]

I LOVE that coop and am trying to build one almost exactly like it. 4 fullsize hens should do well in the coop and i think you're right to extend the run. If you're in for tough winters in yojr area keep in mind theyll spend more time inside than theyve been past few months and need some room not to start abusing each other.

Thank you so much! It was my first time planning and building something haha!
I’ll definitely start working on an extension! I wanted to give them something comfortable sooner rather than later. They’re growing so fast!