Is my coop/run big enough?

[G2Shooter]

I have a 4' x 12' run with a 4' x 4' coop in it. Coop is raised off the ground 18". I want to put in 6 standard size chickens. Do you think I will be OK?

 

[Kittymomma]

You're set up is better suited to 4 large fowl. If you extend the run a bit and put a cover on it so they can use it year round you might be able to squeak 6 in there, but you would be better off sticking with 4 or making the whole thing bigger.

ETA: Rule of thumb is 4 square feet of coop and 10 square feet of run per LF--1/2 that for bantams. It's also MUCH easier to keep things clean when they are not crowded and they're not as likely to get cranky with each other and pick feathers etc.

 

[G2Shooter]

Thats what I thought. But didn't want to believe it. Thanks.

 

[Kittymomma]

I know what you mean, there's so many different kinds and it's hard to pick just a few. If egg size isn't important to you you could go with bantams. You would be able to put 6-7 bantams in your current set up without much problem......


Not only am I addicted, I'm also an enabler.

 

[MelindaK]

I have a 4x4 coup as well. I have 6 Peeps. I may end up 4 Chickens though, I think I have 2 Rooster. So looks like our coop will end up being the right size. (Hubby has made the run large though.)

 

[PennyPew]

Quote:
Okay, perhaps a silly question - what is LF?
I have 4 normal size, 1 seabright bantam, 1 silkie. Their run is 20long, 12 wide with lots of perches and ups and downs. Is that a good size? It "looks" like a good, large space, but the "10sf of run per LF" confused me. Thanks !!!

 

[SoJoChickens]

PennyPew, You have 240 sq. ft. in that run so it is plenty big. You could have up to 24 standard size birds in there (depending on how big the coop is of course). You should get more

.

 

[teach1rusl]

Quote:
Okay, perhaps a silly question - what is LF?
I have 4 normal size, 1 seabright bantam, 1 silkie. Their run is 20long, 12 wide with lots of perches and ups and downs. Is that a good size? It "looks" like a good, large space, but the "10sf of run per LF" confused me. Thanks !!!

LF is large fowl...or "normal size" as you said.

Your run is fine...nice space for your birds...

OP...yeah..you would best be advised to scale back to four LFs.

 

[PennyPew]

lol - Don't tell my husband we can get more birds! He has gotten addicted to all the fun chicken breeds and lovely personalities, but truly HATES eggs! So it is just me and the friends, neighbors and family who are eating the fruits of the hens labor.

 

[Germaine_11.20]

Never mind