Is my Coop big enough for 6 chickens?

[Jackson Moody]

Hey all!

Currently I have 4 chickens. 2 of them Buff Orpingtons, and 2 Bielefelder. They live in a 4x8 coop, with a 20x5 fenced range.

The Coop is half run and half actual coop, meaning there is 4x4 for roosting and egg boxes, and 4x4 area of run. The door is on the end of the coop, meaning they have access to the 4x4 run area 24/7. I usually get up by 8AM to let everyone out into the range.

2 Javas have come up for free, and I'm thinking about adding them to my flock. Is the 4x4 coop area big enough for all 6 of these chickens? I'm thinking about expanding the coop out into the run, but I want to leave that area open so I can cover it in plastic this winter, and they have somewhere to hangout. It gets pretty cold sometimes in Boone.

Please let me know what your suggestions are. I can provide more info if needed!

 

[Sara Ranch]

Boone? Missouri?

How old are the chickens?

Will you post pictures of the coop and the run?

Are the nesting boxes sticking out the side of the coop?

 

[Jackson Moody]

Boone? Missouri?

How old are the chickens?

Will you post pictures of the coop and the run?

Are the nesting boxes sticking out the side of the coop?

the Orpingtons are 17 months. The bieleflelders are 24 weeks

Boone, NC. Two hours north of Asheville.

Here is a picture before the coop was finished and the run was built, but you can get a sense of the size. I can post more pictures later.

Currently there is one nesting box that is a milk crate on the floor of the coop. If I get 2 more chickens I'll build/find another nesting box

 

[CapricornFarm]

I would not add any chickens unless you add more space. They are more likely to fight if crowded.

 

[TattooedChicks]

I agree, more space will make for happier birds, especially while the new kids transition in.

 

[Sneebsey]

General rule of thumb is 4 square foot of coop and 10 square foot of run per bird. I have two coops similar to yours that I use exclusively as broody coops, but the attached runs I have are larger, 4x6. Bear in mind that I use these purely to house single hens with chicks. Personally, in your situation I would get or build a bigger coop, not just to add birds, but for the comfort of the four you have now.

 

[Jackson Moody]

Thanks everyone for the replies

General rule of thumb is 4 square foot of coop and 10 square foot of run per bird. I have two coops similar to yours that I use exclusively as broody coops, but the attached runs I have are larger, 4x6. Bear in mind that I use these purely to house single hens with chicks. Personally, in your situation I would get or build a bigger coop, not just to add birds, but for the comfort of the four you have now.

I think if I'm understanding correctly I do have enough room for 4 birds following those rules. I have 4x4=16 sq ft of coop space so 4 sq ft per bird in the coop. And not counting the small run that is attached I have a 20x5=100 sq ft fenced area that is attached to the coop that they have access to during the day.

Please let me know if I'm doing my math wrong or missing anything!

 

[Sneebsey]

is 4x4 foot not 4 square foot? I'm awful at maths so you'll have to bear with me there. I'm just trying to picture four large birds in my broody coop and can't see it as being enough room for them. Your run sounds good, but a larger coop would be a good idea regardless.

 

[Jackson Moody]

Here are a few more pictures of the coop to give people an idea of what it looks like.

is 4x4 foot not 4 square foot? I'm awful at maths so you'll have to bear with me there. I'm just trying to picture four large birds in my broody coop and can't see it as being enough room for them. Your run sounds good, but a larger coop would be a good idea regardless.

I will expand the coop if I end up getting more chickens, but I feel like what I have now is adequate room for 4 chickens. Admittedly, I have only had them for 3 weeks but they have gotten along very well and I've seen no fighting. Both Orpingtons and Beielefelders are classified as heavier breeds but, the ones I have are not truly that big.

 

[wyoDreamer]

What you have is probably enough for 4 birds - not enough for 6. If nothing else, you will need more roosting space. Adding new birds to the mix, they will need more than the minimum space so they can get away while pecking order is getting settled.