I am new here and building and run and shelter with laying boxes how big should each be for 16 chickens? thanks

[northernboy]

Hello Everyone

I am building a run and a enclosure with laying box for 16 laying chickens. How big should they each be? I live in a cold winter climate.

thanks

Jeff

 

[DobieLover]

Hi Jeff. Welcome to BYC.
The coop should be 64 sq ft (8'x8') and the run should be 192 sq ft. (I'd make the run larger if you can). You could convert an 8x8 shed into a coop.
You shouldn't need more than 3 or 4 nest boxes. Lots of sizes work well. I like mine deep as I like a thick bed of nest material that the hens can bowl out with their bodies to lay in. My boxes are 16" high with 4" of nesting material, 12" wide by 14" deep.

 

[northernboy]

Hi Jeff. Welcome to BYC.
The coop should be 64 sq ft (8'x8') and the run should be 192 sq ft. (I'd make the run larger if you can). You could convert an 8x8 shed into a coop.
You shouldn't need more than 3 or 4 nest boxes. Lots of sizes work well. I like mine deep as I like a thick bed of nest material that the hens can bowl out with their bodies to lay in. My boxes are 16" high with 4" of nesting material, 12" wide by 14" deep.

Thanks I think I can make that work. I wll set my coop on top of the one end of the run what is the lowest hieght the run could be?

Thanks

 

[northernboy]

If I put my coop on top of my run what is the minimal hieght I could put my runs at?

thanks

 

[featherhead007]

Run? depends on any predator problems. Will it be covered on top?

 

[DobieLover]

Thanks I think I can make that work. I wll set my coop on top of the one end of the run what is the lowest hieght the run could be?

Thanks

How tall are you?

 

[TooCheep]

Minimal height would be 2ft to allow them to run around without obstruction, but ideally they should be at least 4' tall. Taller allows you to get in there and reach things and also gives you far more flexibility to setup things for them. You'll want a couple of roosts, and possibly swings, hanging toys/food/water containers, etc. Those are only possible with a 4'+ run area.

 

[rosemarythyme]

How tall are you?

x2. You need to consider how YOU will get in there to clean, maintain, fetch a wayward egg, etc. How good's your back?

My run is tall enough so I can stand upright in every inch of it, so that's "tall enough" by my definition.

 

[Davethebirdman]

Hello Everyone

I am building a run and a enclosure with laying box for 16 laying chickens. How big should they each be? I live in a cold winter climate.

thanks

Jeff

My hens will often share laying boxes. A few is fine. They also don’t all lay an egg at precisely the same time. They will go in and look for a box that is open and lay an egg. I even have some pretty darn smart hens who wait their turn. Some will often lay at a specific time with regularity. If you see them dropping eggs out in the open, add a couple more boxes.

 

[aart]

The coop should be 64 sq ft (8'x8') and the run should be 192 sq ft. (I'd make the run larger if you can).

Yes, larger coop and run is always better.
Especially if you live in a harsh winter climate(...and it sounds like you might) and don't have a weather proof run.

Welcome to BYC! @northernboy
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!