how many chickens would this coop support?

[melinda342]

i found plans i like on this website: http://www.organicgardening.com/sites/all/themes/zen/og/pdf/coop_plans.pdf it claims to support 6-7 chickens. is this true?

 

[andrew6d9]

maybe 4 at the max

 

[KFox]

I wouldn't put 6-7 in there. I think they would probably pull each others feathers out.

 

[ladyride]

ditto 4 max

 

[lebentier]

i used one almost identical to this for 3 chickens. we immediately had to add a 3 foot run extension and within 6 months decided we needed a bigger coop. now i use it to help transition the teenagers into the flock. might work well for 3 or 4 bantams, though.

 

[Denninmi]

I'd say only 2 comfortably, might squeeze in up to 4 if you make it as a tractor and move it frequently.

 

[melinda342]

yeah i plan on keeping2-4 silkies (hens) and a barred rock (rooster) but he would have to be more of a house chicken and go outside in a run during the day.

 

[bryan99705]

Great design, I've seen that used before with great success, but it appears to be 5x6 (numbers too are blurry to be sure)which means the run would be good for 3 full size birds or maybe 4 bantys.

If you like this general design, just increase the run size (using 10 sq ft per bird recommendation) till it fits the number of birds you want or maybe build 2 for different breeds

 

[teach1rusl]

I think three would do fairly well...it's 30 sq. ft. of run space. If you choose a smallish, very docile breed, maybe 4 (although that would be less than 8 sq. ft of run space). Four would definitely be more doable if they're allowed out a few hours each day.

 

[Souffle]

Hi,
I bought the larger hand crafted coop ark which is 4'x7', 28sq. feet, see their site. It looks very similar in design, height too. The lower corners aren't very useful unfortunately and look at how much room the one gallon water takes up.
handcraftedcoops.com/
My hens are 11 weeks and it already seems crowded for my 5 medium/heavy breeds, soon to be 4

because of my town ordinances, no roosters. I think bantams are the best match for the A frme ark. I do love the ark! I can even move it around single handedly if I put a dolly under one end! It's been great so far but we're either going to have to do significant alterations like a 12" riser frame on the base, and a dormer off the roof, for head room. They definitely need a separate run in the near future. Right now I let them free range while I'm gardening close by, but when on vacation, really hot summer nights, or come winter, they'll need different accommodations. Still haven't figured that out. I'm in MA. See the size of this coop, relative to my brood, which I think are only half way to full grown size, eventually 28" for the brahmas. The rooster is going to be tough to part with. Just look at him, and what a crow at 5:30 every morning. is your barred rock indoor because of town restrictions? or just his size relative to the coop. I don''t even think mine will fit through the hatch in another two months, and they'd probably have to roost sideways to have enough room for their heads. I hope the pictures are helpful. Good luck to you and your little ones.