How many chickens would fit comfortably in this coop?

[Little Chicky]

I will be letting them to free-range with supervision a couple hours a day (Can't let them out of my sight, the neighbor's dogs get loose often). The site says it fits five chickens, but that seems really crowded. Also, does that coop look pretty predator-proof? I wouldn't want ANYTHING happening to my babies!

Here's the link --> http://isthmushandyman.com/Chicken Coop Designs/index.html

 

[Buff Hooligans]

Maybe five bantams... If the breed you chose is large (i.e. Orpingtons or Brahmas), I'd only get three.

If chickens feel overcrowded, they get on each other's nerves and the results can be deadly.

 

[Rusty Hills Farm]

The overall size given is 4x8, which is 32 sq ft. Most chicken books tell you that the inside coop space for each large fowl should be approximately 4 sq ft. and when you include the run it should be 10 sq ft per chicken. So if these were my chickens and they were not free-ranging all day, but just a couple of hours a day, I wouldn't use it for more than 3.

JMO


Rusty

 

[Wynette]

I agree with Buff Hooligans on the number of chickens it'll hold. oN the predator proof question, no it's not. A predator could easily dig under. You'd need to either bury some fencing along the edge and attach it to the lower edge of the wood, or maybe put some large and heavy rocks around it to discourage a digger. It's very cute, though!

 

[JenEric Farms]

I built this exact coop...you can see it on my BYC page. I had 5 hens in it to start, 1 Rhode Island Red, 1 Buff Orpington, 1 Black Australorp, 1 White Rock and 1 Barred Rock. They were fine in it. I did lose the Rhode Island Red shortly after she started laying due to egg binding, but they all seemed very happy. Hope this helps!

 

[Little Chicky]

Thanks! I was hoping you'd say 3, that's how many I want!

About the predator security; would I have to bury the wire a few feet under to keep them out? If I did that, does the rest of the coop seem fine?

 

[TXmom]

I agree it's cute, but I like my chickens to have a lot more space...overcrowding can have many complications. Mine is 8 times that size (16x16) for 15 chickens...and I still let them free range because I don't like to see them locked up all the time.

 

[Judy]

Quote:
You can, but it's easier to fasten the wire securely to the bottom of the coop, then make an apron of it all around the coop, at least a foot wide, more is better. You fasten it down to the ground with some kind of staple device and the grass grows through it. Much easier to replace when it rusts through, and easier to see when it is getting weak. Good way to fasten wire to a coop is with fender washers and screws.

I'd say 3 is just about right for that setup.

 

[GuineaFowlKepper]

I would say a trio would be ok. 5 is def. pushing it.

 

[JenEric Farms]

I have wire on the bottom of mine. No predator problems.