is extra space ok?

[Morgan7782]

I was curious of this as well. I assume they will huddle together for warmth during cold months, at least those who are friends lol. I have 5 chickens, and will have a 6x8 coop. My absolute MAX for chickens is 6 or 7, just because our yard is no more then a quarter acre. With more chickens comes more POOP. LoL so 6 chickens will be enough for me

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
No. Absolutely not. Not even in the north where winters are cold. Seriously. More space is always MUCH BETTER.

For whatever it's worth to you, I've tried keeping them at 4 sq ft per chicken (indoors, plus ample run) and at everything up to 15+ sq ft per chicken (indoors, plus ample run). And you know what? THey really do BEHAVE DIFFERENTLY with the larger amount of space available. More relaxed-seeming, more "individual", they can do their own thing, they seem much *happier*. The people who advocate smaller space allowances as being totally-fine are largely those who have never SEEN their chickens with more space and therefore do not have anything as a basis for comparison.

So if you want to give your chickens lots and lots of room, more power to you; you will have happier chickens and management of the coop will be easier and more pleasant

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[FloridaDoulaMama]

Thanks all, I'm looking forward to happy chickens with plenty of living space soon