INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[wabashchickens]

Would 3 sq ft per chicken in my coop be enough?

 

[bradselig]

Would 3 sq ft per chicken in my coop be enough?

IMO, just depends on individual chickens as well as how much run space they have.

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

Yup, I agree. I have just a little more than 3 square feet per bird in my coop, but I also have a HUUUUUGE run for them, so it balances out.

 

[wabashchickens]

So a 32 sq ft coop and a 72 sq ft rum all large fowl should I expand my run or is that enough

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

How many birds? That setup would be good for a smaller flock like 6 to 8 birds, but that run is awfully small for any more than that, unless you'll be free-ranging them a lot of the time.

 

[wabashchickens]

I've got 11 so how much space do I need to add on I'm new to this chicken thing

 

[Leahs Mom]

My chicken shed is 12 x 8 divided into 2 different areas that can be open or closed from each other depending on circumstances.

I found that it was too small for 11 birds last winter when they are wanting to be inside more. I also have about 20x20 kennel run on the outside which is nice, but in winter some of the more aggressive of the flock would block some of the "lower" members outside when it was much too cold. There were a couple days that I didn't open the door because it was brutal cold and I didn't want any getting stuck out there. (Though I did have a dog house out in the run too that they could get out of the wind in if needed.)

When I had to keep the door shut it was WAY TOO MANY BIRDS for the small space.


I remember hearing someone saying it this way:

Imagine your smallest bathroom. Now imagine your whole family crowding into it. Then invite over a couple of grandparents and other extended relatives and have them all come in too. Now imagine that you have to eat in there, drink in there, sleep in there, potty in there. And you have to do that from November all the way through the end of March. What do you think might happen to your relationships/patience with each other?

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

Good advice from Leahs mom!

Ideally, you want to aim for a bare minimum 4 square feet per bird inside and 10 square feet per bird outside, but this will depend on a number of things. For instance, as Leahs mom pointed out, if you usually have a long, snowy winter, you will want more space inside. Having a covered run can counter-balance this by allowing more snow-free space during the winter. If you are not able to free-range daily or close to daily, you'll want more space outside, but if you're frequently free-ranging you can get away with the minimum 10 square feet per bird. Generally, the more space you can provide, the better.

Especially once chicken math sets in.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

I think the coop space needed might be ok for 11 full size chickens but not 11 larger chickens including a large rooster or two. I know it would not be OK for 11 of the large buff hens that I have seen at shows but 11 red star hens or barred rock hens from most any hatchery well they might fit. Good layout of the roosting bars to maximize the floor space along with placing the food and water in the run will help. Covering the run as others have stated will help.

A smaller coop will stay warmer in the winter so tight can be a good thing as long as the litter is maintained. That was nearly impossible last winter. IMO a coop that has lots enough room in the winter for 11 chickens to play and not get cabin fever, is much to large for 11 chickens in the summer. Then again many people have smaller flocks in the winter compared to their summer flock size.

 

[EmilyOfIndiana]

Free rooster to good home. Not big enough to butcher! Columbus/Seymour/greensburg area. His name is Bernie - Rhode island red x bantam Cochin cross. Beautiful bird. Pictures don't do him justice. I love him with all my heart but I can't have him fighting with his dad. So he is in need of a one roo kind of flock. Spunky and full of life. Not super loud for a rooster. Hatched mid November. He is the love of my life and I would like to see him happy. Pm me if interested.

Also have white rock roo. Free to do as you see fit. Handsome fellow, not too bright though. Hatch date is probably February or so. I have pictures if interested. Was going to go to freezer camp but he needs to go now. Pm me if interested.