How many chickens?

[Three Little Bunnies]

Hi!

My chicken run is 12x16 feet. I am wondering how many chickens can comfortably fit in there. Currently I have thirteen hens in there and I may integrate my two babies. One is standard, one is bantam.

As for my coop, that is four by six. I know it should be more, but only five of the chickens sleep in the coop. The others sleep on the roosts in the run. I am planning in more nest boxes, since I have only three.

Thanks!

 

[Buffbrahmasforever]

The coop should be bigger, but if it is only used for things like food/water, nest boxes, and a housing a few chickens overnight I think you could make due with that much space. Expecially if you free range. If you don't I would expand the run if you can, but you might still be able to work with the space you have even if you don't.

 

[jreardon1918]

Hi!

My chicken run is 12x16 feet. I am wondering how many chickens can comfortably fit in there. Currently I have thirteen hens in there and I may integrate my two babies. One is standard, one is bantam.

As for my coop, that is four by six. I know it should be more, but only five of the chickens sleep in the coop. The others sleep on the roosts in the run. I am planning in more nest boxes, since I have only three.

Thanks!

The run could support a few more chickens. But, the existing flock are telling you by their actions, that the coop is too small. At least that is how I read their silent whispering.

 

[aart]

I know it should be more, but only five of the chickens sleep in the coop. The others sleep on the roosts in the run.

That's because there's not enough space in the coop

 

[Three Little Bunnies]

The coop should be bigger, but if it is only used for things like food/water, nest boxes, and a housing a few chickens overnight I think you could make due with that much space. Expecially if you free range. If you don't I would expand the run if you can, but you might still be able to work with the space you have even if you don't.

The only thing they use the coop for is laying eggs and the roosting of four to five chickens.

 

[Three Little Bunnies]

The run could support a few more chickens. But, the existing flock are telling you by their actions, that the coop is too small. At least that is how I read their silent whispering.

It is really hot where I live and it is still almost ninety degrees at eight thirty when they go to bed. I think they are trying to stay cool, since five of them crowd onto one four foot roost in the run when there are twelve perfectly good feet of roost in the coop.