How much room do I need?

[newburt]

I have two Rhode Island Red laying hens and a rooster in a mobile coop that I built that is 4x4 in my yard. It has the coop on top and the bottom is wired in the same dimensions but the coop gets moved every day to ensure they always have fresh grass. Is this enough room?

 

[sheila3935]

I go by 4 sq ft of coop space per chicken. Mine free range so I dont have a run but I have heard 10 sq ft of run per chicken. I know some do different but thats how I do. Also 2 hens with 1 rooster when he comes of age those girls backs will be a mess from mating. Most times its 7-10 hens for each rooster unless you are going to keep the rooster seperated until your are ready to breed

 

[Egghead_Jr]

I use 2 sqft/LF bird in coop and attempt to give 10 sqft/bird for run. Moving the coop each day your 3 birds will likely be perfectly fine as they constantly will have fresh grass and bugs to peck at. I kept 6 full grown chickens in a 8x4 tractor for a year but let them out for a few hours to free range each day. They did fine but come winter you could tell they were cramped as free ranging days are over.

 

[cknkids]

It they aren't getting any regular free ranging you many need to enlarge your run. Watch your birds and if they start to be stressed you can do it then. Of course who doesn't like a bigger house or yard?

 

[newburt]

I use 2 sqft/LF bird in coop and attempt to give 10 sqft/bird for run. Moving the coop each day your 3 birds will likely be perfectly fine as they constantly will have fresh grass and bugs to peck at. I kept 6 full grown chickens in a 8x4 tractor for a year but let them out for a few hours to free range each day. They did fine but come winter you could tell they were cramped as free ranging days are over.

Thank you!! This was very helpful. Getting started and correctly equipped seems to be the hardest part. I have worked nonstop at making sure I have the best conditions that I can afford and I plan to continually expand their space. I cannot free range due to the number of dogs in the area that seem to want my chickens badly. I have spent a ton of money lately putting welded wire around my coops to keep them safe and a ton of time running dogs off!!

 

[newburt]

It they aren't getting any regular free ranging you many need to enlarge your run.  Watch your birds and if they start to be stressed you can do it then.  Of course who doesn't like a bigger house or yard?

I can already see from the replys that I need to expand at Least another 4 feet on this run and probably separate my roosters. I also have another tractor that is 4x8 with two barred rock hens and a rooster. This seems to be more adequate space for them. I will use the 4x4 to our a rooster in to take some stress off of the hens. Thanks for your reply.

 

[newburt]

Tha

I go by 4 sq ft of coop space per chicken. Mine free range so I dont have a run but I have heard 10 sq ft of run per chicken. I know some do different but thats how I do. Also 2 hens with 1 rooster when he comes of age those girls backs will be a mess from mating. Most times its 7-10 hens for each rooster unless you are going to keep the rooster seperated until your are ready to breed

nk you Sheila. I had been told 4 hens per rooster and that's what I'm trying to build my glock up to. I want to keep 8 laying hens ( 4 barred rock and 4 Rhode Island reds and I'm halfway there on both breeds at the moment and I have roosters for both breeds. I am working on expanding my chicken tractors and its fairly easy to add more space. It seems like a 4x10 would be adequate especially since I move the tractors daily. I have not thought about the affect of overbreeding my hens and I appreciate your input. It was very helpful. That's why I subscribed to this website

 

[sheila3935]

I tell everyone starting out to build much bigger then you think you need cause chickens are like potato chips you cant have just one LOL and they have a way of multiplying on you (ie) chicken math

I started with 2 and now have over 40. When I first started I had no idea how a rooster could tear up a hens back. I tried chicken saddles but my girls hated them. Thats when I decided to rehome the rooster that was a little to amorous. Though you will always have 1 hen that no matter how many others you have that will have a not so pretty back cause that one is the roosters favorite.

 

[newburt]

Thank you I really appreciate the feedback I am planning on building several more Chicken tractors. I have 40 acres of property and 7 acres of it are open pasture land and I love hearing the roosters crow and getting the eggs every morning, but the rooster will crow in his own coop just as well as he does now I currently have 2 breeds of laying hens and roosters, the Rhode Island Reds and the Barred Rocks and I also have Dominique and Plymouth Rock chicks in the brooder right now!!!! This is the most fun i have had. my wife has her dog and the kids and I have our chickens