I have currently a 4x4 coop. 3 nesting boxes on the outside so I utilize full floor space. My chickys are about 2 weeks old so they are still inside. I currently have 6 3 RR and 3 plymoth rock. is 6 too many for a 4x4??? I have a 10x10 run and will be free ranging when pos. (when my shepherd doesn't want to rip the "squeek toy" apart) Thank you!!
As long as you have a spacious run, you can get away with a smaller coop. However, you cannot cheat on roosting space. This is where conflicts occur in a coop that's too small. They say you need a foot of perch space per chicken, but I've found they need more to accommodate flapping wings as they fly up to the perch. If the perch is too short, they will knock each other off as they try to get up. Nothing angers a chicken more than being knocked off the perch when she's trying to settle down for a good night's sleep.
Agreed, 1 1/2-2 feet of roost per bird is about right. So if you have two roosts across the coop "8 feet" that should do for 6 adults.
Mine must be the exception to the norm, I have 19 chickens, 20' or roost poles, and they sleep on 5-6 feet of pole, on top of each other, and always have.
