Is My Coop Big Enough?

[TouchO'Lass]

Quote:
Um, TDM? Back Yard Chickens.

That's very cool that you have chickens as a business and from your pics in other posts it looks like a very clean and well run operation. And it's always interesting to hear from the other end of the chicken raising spectrum.

But I have 15 chickens, 5 acres and no plow. I have room for a coop that gives the gals 4 sq ft each, and 4 sq ft they'll get. That way, when it's blowing snow sideways in my little town just south of Canada and the girls choose to stay indoors, they'll have room to cavort a bit.

If I still lived in South Carolina, I might feel differently. Ain't freedom of choice grand?!

Just saying...

You mentioned the "UP" in other posts. Just curious where that is...

 

[wiliamsmith4444]

Keeping them in tight spaces makes them more susceptible to disease. So I think you should stick to 8 for the moment.

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[TDM]

TouchO'Lass :

You mentioned the "UP" in other posts. Just curious where that is...

UP is the Michigan Upper Peninsula. We get so much lake effect snow during the winter that all the farmers have to have big snow removal implements on their tractors to keep everything clear around the barnyards.

Urban people will shovel out their patios, decks, sidewalks and driveways, so why not the chicken run? There really should be very little reason to deny a bird access to the outside other than inclement weather, even if it just an excuse for the bird to roost on a fence post in the winter sunshine. It's all part of farming. This is also why you don't need a large coop as a substitute for a closed off run.​

 

[Kaitie09]

I live in Southern York County and have 20 birds in a 6x10 coop and I think that is pushing it during the winter (3sq ft per bird). What I do when winter comes around is I go to Home Depot and get the heavy plastic. I cover 2 sides of the run and the top, staple it in place, and leave the side that does not normally get the wind open. That keeps the snow from piling up, and it cuts back on the wind. I have been doing this for 5 yrs and the chickens go outside like it was summer.

 

[austincoopersilkiesies]

Im Gonna Try The Plastic On The Roof And Side Only Bucause The Other End Is Against My Shed!Oh And I Think Scince They Have Free Range All Day In The Run 2 sq feet per bird is ok in the Winter cause 5 out of 8 of my fkock are bantams!!!