How many hens can I fit in my coop?

[aart]

The misleading thing for me is the fact that there are 6 nest boxes! That suggested to me that I could keep way more chickens than I can

Yes...another 'marketing ploy'.

It can work as an integration coop, sick bay, grow out for a few young ones or such so all is not lost.

Yes!!

Don't think this matches your coop, but might give you some ideas:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ng-in-nest-boxes.1134399/page-2#post-17749535

(Off topic sorry)
@black cat, you should totally make a thread about rewriting coop descriptions.

Yes, on another thread would be great

 

[black_cat]

Yes...another 'marketing ploy'.

Yes!!

Don't think this matches your coop, but might give you some ideas:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ng-in-nest-boxes.1134399/page-2#post-17749535



Yes, on another thread would be great

I started one, want me to tag you?

 

[rosemarythyme]

The run space is good, so that's a positive. I agree with NatJ that if you turn one bank of nests into floor space that it'd help (though I would probably keep food and water out to save space, by elevating the unit and using it to provide weather protection to a feed and water area.) You definitely don't need more than 1-2 nests, max.

If you do that, then 3 bantams should be doable. If you decide you want to expand with more birds later on, I would then expand into a bigger coop, and you can keep this one as an isolation unit or brooder or something.

Unit could also use more ventilation than just a little slide open window however I doubt there's really space for it as walls are short.

 

[Liz Birdlover]

Sadly profit takes precedent. Another added bonus of building coops. When I started building I knew next to nothing about carpentry. I built my first coop with a friend who was a contractor. I assisted and observed and learned. It was just a box with over hangs.
View attachment 2423330
My first solo project I made a chicken tractor. It came out pretty good. My confidence was growing.
View attachment 2423334
So then I decided I needed guineas. I built this structure solo MOSTLY WITH PALLETS and it cost me about 200 dollars for roof and 2x4. Not the prettiest but the birds love it and it is still standing. My skills were growing with my confidence.
View attachment 2423337
My latest build was for a layer flock of 30. I bought the materials as a kit and cut and built the thing myself. It took me an embarrassing amount of time but I did it. Just got help when I had to lift walls etc. It has a storage loft and gambrel roof. I am very proud of it.
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Poultry has helped me learn to be a builder. I am so grateful to them for this skill.

I signed up & paid for carpentry classes just so I could work on my coop!!! Yeah, I'll fix the house...AFTER the coop. My house has a leaky roof but my birds come 1st LOL. Darn covid...classes were canceled, but once we get a vaccine & night classes resume I'm right there! These chickens are more than eggs layers & zany pets that make me laugh & let me hug them, they are truly my inspiration! I can't wait to build coop #3!

 

[Kiki]

Here, I'll rewrite a prefab coop description to make it accurate...

(an actual prefab coop description)
Precision Pet® chicken coops are an easy and convenient alternative to building a chicken coop from scratch. The Hen House II Chicken Coop fits 5 1 chickens, includes 2 internal roosting bars that are too low to roost on, and 2 nesting boxes. This chicken coop also features multiple access doors for egg collecting, an easy clean slide-out tray, and an asphalt roof for extra protection, not enough ventilation, and terrible latches. The Hen House II Chicken Coop provides your chickens with a safe, durable, and easy-to-clean shelter with premium features.

 

[Ginmary]

So, I am getting a 6' x 8' coop which is 48 sq ft. Divided by 4 sq ft = 12 hens? If my flock of 14 hens incudes 5 bantam Seramas and 3 bantam cochins, they should be OK? Or is my math with sq ft flawed.
Unfortunately I am better at Chicken math (hence the 14)

 

[NatJ]

So, I am getting a 6' x 8' coop which is 48 sq ft. Divided by 4 sq ft = 12 hens? If my flock of 14 hens incudes 5 bantam Seramas and 3 bantam cochins, they should be OK? Or is my math with sq ft flawed.
Unfortunately I am better at Chicken math (hence the 14)

12 standard size hens in 48 square feet, yes.

Bantams usually do OK with only 2 square feet each.
So 8 bantams require 16 square feet

And if you have 6 big chickens at 4 square feet each, that's 24 square feet for them

16 + 24 = 40 square feet needed for your chickens, and the coop has 48 square feet, so that works out just fine.

If you start thinking that you might have room for another chicken or two: wait until the coop gets there, and measure the inside dimensions. If it's 6 x 8 outside, and if the inside is half a foot smaller each direction, you would lose 7 square feet of space!

 

[BDutch]

Hello all. We have spent ages constructing a coop and run for our chickens and before purchasing any I would like to know how many chickens I could keep in my coop? They would only be in there over night as they'd be in their run all day every day. I have attached a photo. The main area (not including nest boxes) is 86cm x 83cm and the nest boxes both go out 34 cm and have 3 slots in each (I've heard you don't need very many nest boxes so I will probably take the divides out of one side and use it to put their food/water). I would probably like to get 1 or 2 silkies and the rest would be a mix of hybrids (most likely). There is so much conflicting information out there so I would appreciate any help! Thank you in advance

I didn’t read all pages but there are possibilities to keep more then one chicken in this coop.
Buy bantams.
I think it has enough room for four bantams or even 6 tiny bamtams like Dutch or Serama’s. But you still have to make some alterations.

• You need more daylight inside and much more ventilation at the highest point under the roof
• Probably higher roosts (2)
• Acces (always) to an attached and safe run with a roof for shelter during the day if the weather is bad. And/or an automatic pop door so they never have to stay in the coop from dawn till dusk.
• If you put this on a 50-70 cm high construction it wil be easyer to clean and with hwc you can make more sheltered space which is good for food and water.
• Make more floor space from 3 nesting boxes
  
  

 

[Ginmary]

12 standard size hens in 48 square feet, yes.

Bantams usually do OK with only 2 square feet each.
So 8 bantams require 16 square feet

And if you have 6 big chickens at 4 square feet each, that's 24 square feet for them

16 + 24 = 40 square feet needed for your chickens, and the coop has 48 square feet, so that works out just fine.

If you start thinking that you might have room for another chicken or two: wait until the coop gets there, and measure the inside dimensions. If it's 6 x 8 outside, and if the inside is half a foot smaller each direction, you would lose 7 square feet of space!

Thank you!

 

[BDutch]

@hensforhan
I bought a small prefab too 8-9 years ago. Made a lot of alterations. But it still works with new roofing. It gives shelter at night to 3 bantams (naine de Tournaisis 700 grams bantams) . An extension gives room for another 4 Dutch at the moment. A few window/glass panels holds back the rain and cold wind from the small/safe and roofed run and automatic pop-door makes it possible to go to the larger run after sunrise.

The original coop for max 4 tiny bantams.

the old coop with a new roof and the extension in front.

Edit/p.s. I bought this small chicken coop for 2 rabbits. After they died I wanted chickens but I realised they had to be very small to fit in. The coop was big enough for 3 Dutch ladies. But the tail of the rooster didn’t fit in wel. Size including the small attached run:
ca. 1,98 m x 0,75 m x 1,03 m (B x D x H) . The extension is about 1 x 0,90 m.

Tip: attach a single strip of EPDM on the flap at the hinges to prevent leaking / rain damage.