How many more hens can fit in this coop?

[SourRoses]

Part of the trouble is that a small coop is still small, no matter how few chickens it has.

So true!
It's cool you had a link to those old studies.

One thing I found most limiting is roost space. In a small coop it is hard to have enough roost (1 ft each) and still provide room for them to jump down clear of each other.

I confess, I violate the minimum footage standard.
But, I selected heavily for docile birds.
Their door opens at dawn, and their yard is big with woods and an open area. Those things help me get away with it.
But, I had to be very creative with roost placement to fit three 2x4s in and still allow them an easy landing zone.
I also watch temperaments and have other quarters for hormonal broodies, etc. I've rehomed hens merely for the way they act in the flock. Most of mine lay together in the woods most of the day, when they're not running around or snacking.

As well, we have lots of ventilation. Which is a limiting factor for OP, whose other recent thread shows issues with humidity due to the design of the cupola and their weather. I think in that thread we all thought the coop was a lot bigger from the interior photo. It makes more sense now.

 

[Not-so Slick Chicken]

I guess you're on the wrong forum. Most of us here on BYC are hobby farmers who consider our birds pets. And, no, I've never lived in the city.

I'm not saying this is you, and this is my opinion, but most farmers I know who farm for a living seem to me to place money above the welfare of the animals. This is understandable because crowding their barns, pastures, and coops is the only way they can make a profit and they can't get attached to their animals because they will eventually be butchered anyway. I tend to think they are not as tuned in to their animals and they just don't know or care how much happier and long-lived their animals could be if they gave them a bigger and cleaner place to live.

As a person who grew up on a farm, surrounded by farmers, and uses the internet to learn about farmers across the world, this is offensive and vastly inaccurate.

Don't mistake farmers you'll pass by on the road with the INDUSTRIAL farms (animals crammed close together), the people who use animals for attention and boredom, and the hoarders.

Real farmers care very much for their animals. They're devastated when anything happens to one. They eventually learn they need to differentiate between those that can be saved, and those who need to be euthanized.
When every single vet visit is hundreds, if not thousands, a farmer has to decide what's best for the entire flock, and the individual that's unwell.

 

[SourRoses]

Real farmers care very much for their animals.

Generalizations are the root of the issue here for both sides.
Farmers come with different personalities, just like anyone else.
Some care a lot, some don't care at all.

I've also seen people who care a lot make bad decisions under stress and pressure. The finances of any kind of farming are very hard. You know that I'm sure.

For example, when I worked on horse farms I saw a lot of bad decisions behind the scenes, despite the fact the horses were their livelihood. Not because they didn't care, but because they had wrong information or financial pressure (or both).
The trainer with the best reputation, who bent over backwards for love of the horses and volunteered his service with a rescue... He also charged customers for premium feed which he displayed in the tack room, while having us actually feed them cheap all-stock feed with entirely different ingredients and nutritional values (mostly corn). I never could wrap my head around that compromised value, so I left.

 

[Not-so Slick Chicken]

Generalizations are the root of the issue here for both sides.
Farmers come with different personalities, just like anyone else.
Some care a lot, some don't care at all.

I've also seen people who care a lot make bad decisions under stress and pressure. The finances of any kind of farming are very hard. You know that I'm sure.

For example, when I worked on horse farms I saw a lot of bad decisions behind the scenes, despite the fact the horses were their livelihood. Not because they didn't care, but because they had wrong information or financial pressure (or both).
The trainer with the best reputation, who bent over backwards for love of the horses and volunteered his service with a rescue... He also charged customers for premium feed which he displayed in the tack room, while having us actually feed them cheap all-stock feed with entirely different ingredients and nutritional values (mostly corn). I never could wrap my head around that compromised value, so I left.

Pretty sure that last bit you mentioned would be him doing something.... illegal?
Promising they're paying for one product, then switching for a cheaper product.

While over-generalizations might have issues, I'm really sick and tired of people bashing farmers when their arguments seem to be mostly describing people who are irresponsible, hoarders, and the companies behind industrial farming.

 

[WhatsUpDuck]

Neighbors opinions are like arm pits everyone has one and they all stink..
A lot of variables go into a situation like this. For every kind farmer you may have ten mean ones..for 1 hoarder that cares you may have 10 who don't care.. it's apples and oranges.
The reality is most of our chickens live better lives then A LOT of chickens in the world. People can take the advice or leave it. The x button is free. Don't let it upset you.