is it enough space

[cjbeatjk]

hi Im going to get my first chickens in a couple;e day I have 18 square ft for 3 chickenss which is 6 square ft per chicken is that enough

 

[Old man]

Yes 6 square feet for a chicken is lots.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Is that 18 square feet total between coop and run space, 18 ft in the coop, or 18 ft in the run? Actual photos of what you're describing the measurements of would be very helpful because we can look not only at the square footage but the other factors that go into the amount of space allocated per bird. There's no such thing as too much space, but there can be some implications from providing too little space. What type of birds are you planning to keep? Bantams? Large fowl? Do you already know what breeds you want to keep? Even say in large fowl, different breeds can have significantly different sizes which may make providing more or less space more or less of an issue

 

[cjbeatjk]

Is that 18 square feet total between coop and run space, 18 ft in the coop, or 18 ft in the run? Actual photos of what you're describing the measurements of would be very helpful because we can look not only at the square footage but the other factors that go into the amount of space allocated per bird. There's no such thing as too much space, but there can be some implications from providing too little space. What type of birds are you planning to keep? Bantams? Large fowl? Do you already know what breeds you want to keep? Even say in large fowl, different breeds can have significantly different sizes which may make providing more or less space more or less of an issue

that 18 square ft total it 2.2-2.5 ft wide and like 7.5 ft long I'm pretty sure the breed is leghorns or something like that

 

[cjbeatjk]

Is that 18 square feet total between coop and run space, 18 ft in the coop, or 18 ft in the run? Actual photos of what you're describing the measurements of would be very helpful because we can look not only at the square footage but the other factors that go into the amount of space allocated per bird. There's no such thing as too much space, but there can be some implications from providing too little space. What type of birds are you planning to keep? Bantams? Large fowl? Do you already know what breeds you want to keep? Even say in large fowl, different breeds can have significantly different sizes which may make providing more or less space more or less of an issue

also its not there forever home its there winter home since I live in Canada its still cold ish here like -4c then I'll move them to a 130 square ft cage outside that I'm purchasing

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Leghorns can be very flighty and prefer to free range. So I do think it’s enough but they will definitely appreciate having more space later.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Hi, welcome to the forum, glad you joined!

You are dealing with living animals so there are no firm fixed numbers that work for everyone. Each animal has its own personality, some like close company, some don't.

also its not there forever home its there winter home since I live in Canada its still cold ish here like -4c then I'll move them to a 130 square ft cage outside that I'm purchasing

Are they baby chicks or are they older? If they are babies, by the time your weather warms up they can go outside. Young chicks do not need that much room. Is this a brooder in your heated house and the cage will be totally separate?

For most people 18 square feet total can work for three hens. If it is just a brooder until they get bigger and can then go outside it is huge.

I don't like it being that thin. One chicken can't walk past another without getting pretty close. Most will be OK with that but some have the personality that they don't like it.

There are too many unknowns for me to be able to tell you that it definitely will or will not work. I'd probably try it.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

that 18 square ft total it 2.2-2.5 ft wide and like 7.5 ft long I'm pretty sure the breed is leghorns or something like that

also its not there forever home its there winter home since I live in Canada its still cold ish here like -4c then I'll move them to a 130 square ft cage outside that I'm purchasing

Okay - so a couple more questions (and I apologize for continuing to answer your question with questions but the more we understand about the situation the more accurate our answers can be) - you mention moving them "outside" - so the space they will be kept in at this point is indoors? Are you starting with newly hatched chicks in this space or are they adult birds? The dimensions are helpful because, admittedly, my initial envisioning of the space was more square than the long, narrow space you are working with. The clarification on the age of the birds will factor into the space's potential shortfalls.

 

[cjbeatjk]

Leghorns can be very flighty and prefer to free range. So I do think it’s enough but they will definitely appreciate having more space later.

alr thank you

 

[cjbeatjk]

Okay - so a couple more questions (and I apologize for continuing to answer your question with questions but the more we understand about the situation the more accurate our answers can be) - you mention moving them "outside" - so the space they will be kept in at this point is indoors? Are you starting with newly hatched chicks in this space or are they adult birds? The dimensions are helpful because, admittedly, my initial envisioning of the space was more square than the long, narrow space you are working with. The clarification on the age of the birds will factor into the space's potential shortfalls.

there in our garage and the one I'm getting I think are full grown or almost there have already started to lay the seller said