How much room in coop if chickens are free ranging?

[Justanother Brooke]

If the chickens are allowed to free range all day long, and have plenty of covered area, how much room do you really need in the coop itself? We picked up a small coop from an older man that builds them as a hobby, but would really like to build another, larger coop. I'm thinking eventually I would like to have 10-12 chickens.
Thanks!

 

[Illia]

Basically enough for them to all fit on a perch.

My coop is a huge 10x14' walk-in coop, and I do free range mine all day long, but, I like being able to just walk in there, plus it rains a LOT, so the girls do need some place to be when it is raining.

 

[midget_farms]

I dont know about your winters in WA. But here in Illinois we can get several inches of snow at a time. The chickens flat refuse to walk on snow. So they end up spending several weeks inside the coop looking out the door.

In times like this - you need space in the coop or they will get seriously tired of staring at each other.

 

[LynneP]

There will always be times when the birds have to be in- might be a very wet day or a storm...and while 4 sq ft per bird is sometimes touted as enough, my birds would never tolerate it, they'd be pecking at each other the whole time.

 

[Judy]

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[Justanother Brooke]

Thanks everyone! I definitely don't want them crowded. I saw the worst coop on craigslist last night. It was about 2Wx2Dx5H, no windows, a little vent at the very top, and SHELVES for the chickens. The guy said he fit 6 chickens in there, yikes!

Anyhow, DH isn't getting talked into more chickens easily, so it will be a while before I can expand. I guess I have plenty of time to figure out plans.