How many chickens?

[chicka_doodle]

hello fellow chicken lovers!
So I currently have a 4ft x 8ft coop with a 10ft run (my cichekns also free range)
I want to add to my flock I currently have 1 roo and 1 hen how many is a safe amount to add ?

All feed back is greatly appreciated!

 

[SueT]

Rule of thumb is 4sq ft in coop per standard sized bird. Some people get by with squeezing in more. I'd go for 6 more, with that size coop.
Good luck!

 

[21hens-incharge]

Where are you located? You need not be specific. Just in general works. For example I am in northern Colorado.
It will help a ton if you update your profile to include location.

If you get a lot of wet soggy weather or snow you may want a smaller number of birds since they will end up staying in often.

Your run is 10 by how many feet the other way?

How is your coop set up? Roost space, nests inside or hanging off the side, feeder and waterer inside or out?
It all makes a difference.

If you cash post a pic of your coop it will help a lot of people give better advice.

Oh and what breed(s) are your current birds? Some breeds are super mellow while others need as bit more space to be happy.

 

[Conman]

Ok free range then there ussualy in there to lay and sleep so about i would ho for 6x8 just to ne safe with 3 more chickens if they are free range.

 

[aart]

@21hens-incharge has asked some important questions that need to be answered if you want a viable answer to your questions.

Integrating new birds work best with extra, separate but adjacent, space.
Here's some tips and links about integration.

Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

This used to be a better search, new format has reduced it's efficacy, but still:
Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading, BUT some info is outdated IMO:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

 

[lazy gardener]

21 Hens and Aart got you covered re: what info is needed in order to provide appropriate advice. I'm gonna toss my 2 pennies into the mix:

Ventilation: needed year round, even in sub zero weather. Should be at least = to 10% of floor space or = to 1 s.f./bird. If your coop is a "short coop" instead of a walk in, you run more risk of air quality and frost bite issues.

For a 4 x 8, walk in style, with a roo, I'd not stock it with more than 5 - 6 birds. The roo brings an other question forward: Do you ever intend to hatch your own replacement birds? If so, you're gonna need a much bigger coop, or an other coop!

As for your run, if possible, I strongly suggest that you cover at least a portion of it. This will keep the rain off it, and if you are in snow country, it will provide a "sun room" which they can use even in the dead of winter when the snow and ice are swirling around. I have many sub zero days, but my birds spend a lot of time in their sun room: covered on 3 sides with a green house tarp over the top of that area. This option cuts the issues with winter aggression. Even if you don't put a weather proof cover over your run, you will need to at least put up a netting to keep hawks from eating your birds.

 

[chickens really]

What breed of Birds are you planning to have?...That's something to consider first..