How Many Hens in this Ark?

[Breifne]

Looking at an ark that measures 8x5x5. I know that's sufficient for at least four hens, but would it be reasonable to have up to six in there given the fact that they'll be free-ranging at least part of the day on most days?

 

[Linn Bee]

8 X 5 would give you an area of 40 sq.ft. You could house up to 10 standard chickens in that space if you wanted to. That is usable floor space. If you must subtract room for feed, water, roost area, and nesting boxes then fewer chickens would be comfortably housed there.

Regardless of the time spent ranging outside, I would still stick to the rule of 4 square feet per bird just for those times when they cannot get outside to play.

Love, Linn B (aka Smart Red) Gardening zone 5a - 4b in south-est, central-est Wisconsin

 

[Breifne]

Well, the floor space of the actual coop is far less, because those measurements include the run. I'd say the coop is only 4x4 (or thereabouts), so it sounds like four hens would be the most we'd want to put in there.

 

[Breifne]

The coops this guy is selling are a lot more "bang for the buck," but the ventilation allowances worry me a bit. Am I right, or does it look sufficient? Look at the two holes up near the top of the front of the coop...there are two matching holes at the back. Would that be enough?

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/poultry/2457215

 

[chickenshagg]

Ventilation is definitely something to be concerned about. Judging by those photos there is not nearly enough ventilation. In addition to that my concern is there are no windows to allow natural light into the coop. It would be like keeping them in a cave!

 

[Breifne]

Quote:
Well again, as far as them getting light, they'll be free-ranging at least part of the time, and additionally a run will be provided no matter which coop we buy. They'll only have to spend as much time in the coop as they wish.

 

[Hunter0704]

They will be in the coop every night, right? They need light! They need ventilation, not just four dead walls. Ventilation is necessary and is even needed more so in the winter. Moisture from your chickens breathing during the winter cold temps, plus the moisture from the poop has to go UP and out of the coop. Otherwise, chickens can get respiratory disease and die. I checked your online coop...what's the deal with being used? You can find other brand new coops for the same price or a little more that offers more than that coop does. I suggest you keep looking!

 

[Breifne]

Quote:
They're new, not used. Good information and suggestions, though. I knew ventilation was crucial, but I did not realize a window was a must. I'll keep looking...

 

[Breifne]

It's strange...I've looked at probably 50 or more coops on the internet in Ireland (some of them from very reputable and highly-recommended companies), and almost none of them have windows.

 

[OnceAroundTheBlock]

Quote:
When I first had chickens 20 yrs. ago, I had them in an old 60+ yr. old chicken house with no windows at all, and only access to an 8 x 10 ft. run. A couple of times a week, I'd let them out into the yard.

I had 24 hens and one tired rooster and would get an egg from each chicken almost every day. I also never once had any sicknesses or disease amongst them but did lose several to a neighbor's dog attack one time.