Is my coop to small?

The coop seems big enough to me. But the run space is rather small.
The chickens don’t need much inside space if you live in a mild climate. So where do you live? How cold is you’re winter?
I live in Texas. Winter is usually mild. When I’m done with the actual run it will be much bigger. The pic of them was just part of my back yard. When the run is done it will be over 20ft long
 
I have 13 chicks about 7/8 weeks old. Not finished with the run yet but, I lock the dogs up and let them run in the back yard for alittle bit. Just worried it’s not big enough. The nesting boxes will be moved to another spot when the start laying. It’s in the works. Any advice?
I'm wondering how things would work if you mounted a poop board directly above the nesting boxes and then a roost bar above that?

I love the look of your coop.

Also, the chicken wire won't stop much in the way of predators. Raccoons can reach in and grab/pull out parts. You should look to replace that with hardware cloth.
 
I'm wondering how things would work if you mounted a poop board directly above the nesting boxes and then a roost bar above that?

I love the look of your coop.

Also, the chicken wire won't stop much in the way of predators. Raccoons can reach in and grab/pull out parts. You should look to replace that with hardware cloth.
Thank you! There is a bar right above the nesting box they love to get on. I went out the other night and everyone of them where on it. I just need a board under it. Sooo much poop. I was thinking of moving the nesting boxes but not sure yet
 
Welcome to BYC.

The Usual Guidelines

For each adult, standard-sized hen you need:

4 square feet in the coop,​
10 square feet in the run,​
1 linear foot of roost,​
1/4 of a nest box,​
And 1 square foot of permanent, 24/7/365 ventilation, preferably located over the birds' heads when they're sitting on the roost.​

So if you keep all 13 chickens you will need:

52 square feet in the coop,​
130 square feet in the run,​
13 linear feet of roost,​
4-5 nest boxes,​
and at least 13 square feet of ventilation.​

However, these are *guidelines*, not hard and fast rules. I suggest reading this excellent article: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-much-room-do-chickens-need.66180/

Since you live in Texas, ventilation and shade are going to be the #1 factor for keeping your chickens healthy and happy. If your chickens have constant access to a big, shady run they'll be more willing to share a little less room in the coop than if they have to retreat to the coop to get out of the sun all the time. (I currently have 5 hens living happily in a coop built for 4 but have docile, laid-back breeds and massively over-sized run).

This Texas coop was my main inspiration for my new, Open Air style coop (currently being built).
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom