How many hens can we keep in our new coop?

[Tuli2007]

We are almost don with our garage coop. The coop is about 3 ft x 7 ft,, and 3 ft high (+6 inches off the ground). The run (on the outside of the garage, accessible through a framed opening) will be 6x6. How many larger hardy-type hens could be kept under this arrangement? I keep reading conflicting things. We plan to start with 4, probably to Plymouth Rock and 2 Buff Orpington pullets.
Thanks! I'm so excited to get our hens I'm having chicken dreams...

 

[CoyoteMagic]

I'm thinking 5. 6 at the most.

3X7=21/4ft per chicken=5.25--I'd think you could add one more if you weren't using insulation for extra body heat.

 

[justusnak]

I would say 5......that way...if and WHEN the buff orp decides to go broody, you could get some fertilized eggs and put them under her. Nothing cuter than a momma with babies!

 

[4myHennyPenny]

Will they be able to free range at all? If not, I would say 4 would be best, 5 might be pushing it. Based on what I've read so far (and what other posters on this site have told me), you should calculate for 4 sq ft of coop space and 10 sq ft of run space per standard hen, particularly if they will not have regular free range time. So, while you have enough coop space for 5 hens, the run space would be small for them.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

I think you'll be really happy with how it works out for you with 4. The coop won't be such a poopy mess and they'll have a better amount of run space.

Those are really nice breeds that you're looking at. Congratulations on finishing up your coop and getting your girls!

 

[tiffanyh]

IMHO, If you have a run attached that they can access daily, I would say you can have more than 5 or 6, although not everyone will agree with this. You just have to add a couple at a time and make sure they dont get upset or start feather plucking. I have seen many more than 1 bird/4sq ft live very happy. It seems that some count the run area and coop as their sq. footage. So 6x6...36ft/4=9

Besides, if your that worried about it, you obviously arent going to pack so many in that it harms your chickens.

Enjoy

 

[suburbanhomesteader]

Quote:
I'd like to recommend that if you get .6 of a chicken, it would be best to get the front end, so you don't have to deal with the extra droppings...

 

[BirdBrain]

 

[kstaven]

Actually I would recommend the other end. Save on food and get eggs.

 

[Tuli2007]

Thank you for your replies - the funny and the serious ones! I guess our henhouse is a decent size, but the run isn't terribly big - which is OK, because we can make the run a bit bigger next year if need be. I'm going to try and take and post pictures tomorrow if I can. I think we're about a week from going to the feed store and getting our pullets!