is 16 hens too much for an 8x8 coop?

[ticks]

I have an 8x8 coop that now houses 4 chickens, I have ordered 12 more. They use the coop primarily to Lay and sleep, food and water is outside, I have a few ducks that make it messy. I am going to expand the run which is not 8x12 into a 16x20.
What are your thoughts?

 

[Chickenmaven]

Ticks -

Sounds fine. If you add your run space to your coop space & divide by 16, you have 24sq.ft. per bird. I have 27 birds in a 14x12 coop with a 10x30 run. That's 17 sq.ft. per bird. My birds are SPREAD OUT(!) We give them garden veggies in the summer & scratch in the deep litter in the winter. They stay busy, busy.

 

[clayhill]

I think the coop is adequate, though I think you've reached your limit. Run could be larger though unless you free-range during the day.
Good luck.

 

[Opa]

I keep 20 birds in 40 square feet indoors and 1600 square feet outdoors and my birds are healthy and are laying well.

 

[TheNewMrsEvans]

do you have really bad winters? or do they go outside everyday? that's the only reason when I'd think you'd need a bigger inside...if it's inclement for long periods...

 

[ticks]

Quote:
They go out in -30 degree weather.
Their choice.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

I also think it's enough room if you have a run so they can get outdoors when they want to. If it's really a bad blizzard day here in winter I lock 30 plus up sometimes and they do not seem to mind in a 12 by 14 henhouse.

 

[ticks]

THanks

Do you think in the future it could hold more than 16? or is that pretty much max?