how many hens can fit?

[Dottie the Chicken]

Get at least 3 hens. That way if one were to die, the other has a friend.

 

[PVILLAGO]

Thank you for the help everyone, i'm out for the day right now. I should be able to measure the coop itself and the nest boxes once I come home. But to answer HBO's question now, there are two nest boxes and one perch in the coop itself.

I was told by most it's 4sf per chicken inside coop. A 4x10 coop could handle 10. I'd still only have 8. Also nesting boxes 2per box. So with 8 chickens 4 boxes. That's what I was told and learned on here. The run is different sf. 10sf each. Makes run a 8x10 for 8 chicks..

 

[Mamatomany123]

thank you for the advice everyone, I'll be getting two standards for this coop then. I am new to all of this so thank you all for the advice! I will be getting two orpingtons for the coop because they are my favorite breed I have researched so far.

Bad idea. If 1 dies then you will have a lonely chick/chicken and orpingtons are large, not standard.

 

[BDutch]

@Orpington-Lover . Are Orpingtons available in Bamtam size where you live? The big Orpingtons are way too large for you’re setup. approx. 3.5 kg. But the batam hens are about 1 kg and this is a good size for this coop.

 

[BDutch]

I was told by most it's 4sf per chicken inside coop. A 4x10 coop could handle 10. I'd still only have 8. Also nesting boxes 2per box. So with 8 chickens 4 boxes. That's what I was told and learned on here. The run is different sf. 10sf each. Makes run a 8x10 for 8 chicks..

This may be general advice in minimal space for standard laying hybrids like Red Star. These hybrid chickens need 4m2 ( 16 sf ?) uncovered space to be able to sel the eggs as organic quality (+organic feed) where I live.

Laying hybrids are in general easy chickens who do not need a lot of space. If you want to buy a larger breed you need more space. The same for breeds who’s behaviour is less social. And if you like to enjoy happy and healthy chickens I recommend more space then 10 sqf for most chickens.

The amount of indoor space you need is different for each climate. In area’s with cold winters you need much more space then in warm climates.

There are no rules that apply to all.

 

[aart]

The amount of indoor space you need is different for each climate. In area’s with cold winters you need much more space then in warm climates.

Yes, but......they still have to sleep in there.

@Orpington-Lover ...
I'd not put more than 3 birds in there, will hold them well until the get full sized and you have a bigger coop built.

Oh, and Welcome to BYC!
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[Orpington-Lover]

@Orpington-Lover . Are Orpingtons available in Bamtam size where you live? The big Orpingtons are way too large for you’re setup. approx. 3.5 kg. But the batam hens are about 1 kg and this is a good size for this coop.

I live in the suburbs so it is hard for me to find sexed bantams let alone bantam breeders. I am buying my chicks from a local feed mill and they only have standard breeds for sale. Any advice to find bantam pullets would be much appreciated!

 

[Morrigan]

Orpingtons are a great breed. My avatar is a BO. The one thing to keep in mind is that they tend to go broody -- as do bantams for that matter. Having a broody means you either have to let her sit on eggs and hatch chicks , or you have to break the broody. Of the orpington's I've had, I'd say about 40% have gone broody.

For a first time chicken owner with a small coop, I would look getting a breed not known for going broody. Maybe something like a RI Red. If you are not already familiar with it Henderson's chicken chart is pretty good resource.

http://www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chooks.html

 

[tigger19687]

No more then 3. People will say more but really that is still small and they will be over crowded and pissy with each other.

 

[sunshine ducky]

@Orpington-Lover , I've kept two hens only in the past when I started keeping chickens. I got away with it because I had an LGD-dog (he's still with me!) protecting them from predators. If you do end up getting two standard hens make sure you have a great way to protect them. Maybe consider an electric-wire fence around the coop or better yet an LGD.

When I kept my two hens they were in a similar coop (about 8.5 feet long) as yours and they were speckled Sussex hens. They were pretty happy girls and they lived for 8.5 years in that same coop. Just keep reinforcing it every year to preserve its structural integrity. Its a great starter coop you have there but I wouldn't go more than 2-3 birds. I understand where your at, people in the suburbs just don't have the same amount of room to spare compared to everyone else on here. In short, good luck on your journey and please post pics once you get your birds!

PS: My Pet Chicken offers bantam pullets, if I were you I would get three of them as a starter flock!