how much space per chicken

[ready4thegirls]

We are also getting ready for our first chickens. I have been doing a lot of research on the recommended space. I am now really confused because it looks like a lot of the pre-made coops take into account the vertical space as well as the floor space for their number of chickens per coop. Is that an accurate way to look at it? So if we made the coop 5x6 with 4ft walls and the peak being around 6' with an attached run of 8' long would that be enough for 10 chickens (7 standard and 3 bantam)?

My DH is fighting with me about what he thinks is acceptable for a few chickens, but I know we will end up with more than 4(especially since the minimum order for us is 8 from mypetchicken.com) HaHa! We live on a few acres so I plan to let them roam, especially in my garden but it will be limited since we have a lot of dogs running loose in the area, not to mention the vultures(not sure if the take chickens or not but I don't really want to find out).

Any advice is appreciated since we will be starting our new project in about 2 weeks.

 

[TheCrazyChick]

We are also getting ready for our first chickens. I have been doing a lot of research on the recommended space. I am now really confused because it looks like a lot of the pre-made coops take into account the vertical space as well as the floor space for their number of chickens per coop. Is that an accurate way to look at it? So if we made the coop 5x6 with 4ft walls and the peak being around 6' with an attached run of 8' long would that be enough for 10 chickens (7 standard and 3 bantam)?

My DH is fighting with me about what he thinks is acceptable for a few chickens, but I know we will end up with more than 4(especially since the minimum order for us is 8 from mypetchicken.com) HaHa! We live on a few acres so I plan to let them roam, especially in my garden but it will be limited since we have a lot of dogs running loose in the area, not to mention the vultures(not sure if the take chickens or not but I don't really want to find out).

Any advice is appreciated since we will be starting our new project in about 2 weeks.

You are fine. 10 chickens would need between 20 and 40 square feet. A 5 x 6 coop will give you 30 sf. Not to mention bantams don't need as much space as large fowl. Of course, the more space the better, but will be fine with less. The hieght really doesn't matter much, unless you are in need of extra roosting space. As for the run, that seems a little small. You need between 5 and 10 sf per bird, so 50 - 100 sf total. Less if you take into consideration the bantams, though. Looks like you will have either 40 sf or 48 sf. I would suggest extending the run if possible, if even just a few feet.

Just my two cents. I know some will disagree.

 

[FirewifeJess]

Quote:
I agree. i have a walk in shed that's only 5x7' so that's 35s/f; there are external nest boxes that don't take up floor space, and 2 long 7' roosts. I house 12 full size LF birds right now, and one of them is broody with 4 chicks. There is PLENTY of roost space and they don't enter the coop at all except to roost at night, and lay eggs. I use deep litter and just stir it every other day, and my coop has no smell at all, even with my face down in the shavings; no ammonia since it's well kept. Let me post pictures:
Inside right:

Inside left:

Front of coop:

Attached covered run (we live in the rainiest state!):

Nest box:


Hope to help! My birds are very happy and healthy and roam our 1/2 acre most of the day. I don't recommend having less than 10s/f per bird if you plan to keep them confined for lengthy periods.

 

[bruceha2000]

I agree. i have a walk in shed that's only 5x7' so that's 35s/f; there are external nest boxes that don't take up floor space, and 2 long 7' roosts. I house 12 full size LF birds right now, and one of them is broody with 4 chicks. There is PLENTY of roost space and they don't enter the coop at all except to roost at night, and lay eggs.


Hope to help! My birds are very happy and healthy and roam our 1/2 acre most of the day. I don't recommend having less than 10s/f per bird if you plan to keep them confined for lengthy periods.

Those are the key points:
- IF they aren't confined to the coop during the day, the coop can be small and the "recommended" 2 sq ft per bird is fine. They will sleep on the roosts, figure a foot per bird in the winter, more in the summer when it gets hot.

I figure 4 sq ft per bird is a minimum in whatever non roost area they have access to during the day. That can include the coop floor. More NEVER hurts. The chickens will make use of a lot more space if given the opportunity.

Not sure why the OP is doing a 5x6. Wood comes in 4x8 sheets and lengths at 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 feet for dimensional lumber. I tend to go for designs that require the least cutting if I'm not using scrap.

Oh, and watch your garden, Dee, they'll eat your veg. You'll want to limit them to "plowing" in the spring and "turning under" in the fall.

Bruce

 

[Meld75]

We currently have 4 chicks and building our own coop. Our coop is 4x4 with an attached run that is 4x8. They will b able to free range during the day once we get them in the coop. Do you think there is enough space to add a couple more chicks?

 

[roguerafter]

I am also a novice and have had 3 Rhode Island reds and 3 Barred Plymouth Rock laying hens. I have had them for 2 years and am amazed at how hardy they are. I live in the Cascade mountains in Oregon and my hens want out fore the day whatever the weather. There have only been 2 or 3 days when they decided to stay in. Their coop has a shed wall to the east, a southern exposure and a wind screen of pines to the north and I put up a tarp as a wind break to the west. This keeps the snow out of their area.

 

[bruceha2000]

We currently have 4 chicks and building our own coop. Our coop is 4x4 with an attached run that is 4x8. They will be able to free range during the day once we get them in the coop. Do you think there is enough space to add a couple more chicks?

Yes - If they will have access to the run all day. This, BTW, presumes Large Fowl, not bantams. Bantams need less space.

Make sure part of the run is covered for rain/sun protection.

You'll need 2 roosts however because they'll be too hot in the non cold months if they can't spread out. Put them at the same height so those lower in the pecking order can still sleep high.

If your coop is elevated, the run can actually be 4'x12'

simply by enclosing the legs of the coop with 1/2" hardware cloth.

How much vertical space in the coop? If not much, make the nest boxes external or you'll lose valuable floor space in the coop. If you have the head room, they can be inside, minimum 18" off the floor (keep the roosts higher!) with a perch bar several inches forward of it. The birds can still use the floor space underneath.

Consider a nipple water pipe in the coop fed by a container outside the coop. Same with the food.
BUT - if you have an auto opening door you can leave the food and water out in the run to keep their 16 sq ft floor totally open.


If you put your location in your profile, people can make intelligent suggestions specific to your climate

Bruce

 

[bruceha2000]

I am also a novice and have had 3 Rhode Island reds and 3 Barred Plymouth Rock laying hens.

 

[Cam-n-Sara]

Thank you Davaroo for your bluntness I for one appreciate a clear view without the rose-colored glasses the excitement of a new endeavor breeds. The information you are providing to us newbies is invaluable.

 

[Meld75]

Yes - If they will have access to the run all day.  This, BTW, presumes Large Fowl, not bantams. Bantams need less space.

Make sure part of the run is covered for rain/sun protection.

You'll need 2 roosts however because they'll be too hot in the non cold months if they can't spread out. Put them at the same height so those lower in the pecking order can still sleep high.

If your coop is elevated, the run can actually be 4'x12' simply by enclosing the legs of the coop with 1/2" hardware cloth.

How much vertical space in the coop? If not much,  make the nest boxes external or you'll lose valuable floor space in the coop. If you have the head room, they can be inside, minimum 18" off the floor (keep the roosts higher!)  with a perch bar several inches forward of it. The birds can still use the floor space underneath.

Consider a nipple water pipe in the coop fed by a container outside the coop. Same with the food.
BUT - if you have an auto opening door you can leave the food and water out in the run to keep their 16 sq ft floor totally open.


If you put your location in your profile, people can make intelligent suggestions specific to your climate

Bruce