Is my coop and run to small?

[5hens&aroo]

I currently have 18 chickens. 2 roosters and 16 hens. I’m wondering about whether they feel cramped up or not at night. They are never locked up and are able to free range all day. They go in and out of the coop and run as they please and are trained to go up at night. My coop is 6X12 and my run is 12X24. I have 6 roosting posts in the coop and they spread out when they sleep hardly ever squished together except in the winter for warmth. Am I giving them enough room?

 

[5hens&aroo]

Nice place you have. How's that corn patch working out with them free ranging? Big as it is I'd think it would be fine unless there is an issue when the corn is sprouting. I find that interesting, I have had trouble with chickens and gardens unless I had a good fence.

I'm assuming you are locking them up at night for predator protection. In Kentucky I think you have plenty of room for 18 chickens. The only potential issue I see is two roosters. If they are getting along the way you are managing them I think you are doing great for room.

I tend to lose them in the corn every once in a while but they always come back. But that’s really it. Yes I do lock the door at night. The roosters never fight and I’ve never even seen the other one try to mate any of the girls. I’m not sure if fancy pants (EE rooster) is afraid of Walker( leghorn RIR mix) or what but he doesn’t put any effort towards it. But he is for sure a boy and crows so idk.

 

[sylviethecochin]

Nice setup.

Your coop and run probably shouldn't get any more chickens, but the space sounds perfectly adequate, and they don't sound as though they're having any problems. General rule per chicken is 4 sq ft in coop (which you have) and 10 sq feet in run (which you exceed)

Have you noticed anything that has you worried?

 

[5hens&aroo]

Nice setup.

Your coop and run probably shouldn't get any more chickens, but the space sounds perfectly adequate, and they don't sound as though they're having any problems. General rule per chicken is 4 sq ft in coop (which you have) and 10 sq feet in run (which you exceed)

Have you noticed anything that has you worried?

No I just want them to have the most comfort possible.

 

[aart]

Nice setup indeed.
If it's working, it's good.
Flock behavior is more telling than hard numbers.

Would love to see inside coop.

Only potential issue I see is the chicken wire on the eaves and run, not predator proof.
..and is that gap at corner of coop covered with Hardware Cloth in the inside?

 

[5hens&aroo]

Nice setup indeed.
If it's working, it's good.
Flock behavior is more telling than hard numbers.

Would love to see inside coop.

Only potential issue I see is the chicken wire on the eaves and run, not predator proof.
..and is that gap at corner of coop covered with Hardware Cloth in the inside?
View attachment 1707889

Well the hardware cloth coveres all the way across but where that gap is it’s actually a little storage space and there is another wall on the interior. I don’t have any current pics with more roost or the actual area but I’ll try to get some later.

 

[5hens&aroo]

And also there is now HC on the inside of the coop around the top. I haven’t ever had any casualties in the coop but I’ve learned over the last year better safe than sorry

 

[Ridgerunner]

Nice place you have. How's that corn patch working out with them free ranging? Big as it is I'd think it would be fine unless there is an issue when the corn is sprouting. I find that interesting, I have had trouble with chickens and gardens unless I had a good fence.

I'm assuming you are locking them up at night for predator protection. In Kentucky I think you have plenty of room for 18 chickens. The only potential issue I see is two roosters. If they are getting along the way you are managing them I think you are doing great for room.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

I agree with @aart. Your coop is not completely predator proof with that chicken wire. Sturdy HC is best and more secure. As far as space, I would not add anymore birds to your flock. Crowding can make them irritable.

 

[sylviethecochin]

Also while I’m here.... do any of you have multiple flocks and how do you do it?

They all free range. The mature laying flock has the coop, the bantam flock and the juvenile chickens have the barn. This fall, I'll lock the juveniles with the adults so that they form one flock and leave this spring's chicks to share the barn with the bantams.