is this coop big enough?

[mamdoe]

Hello,

This is my first time posting. I am new to keeping chickens.
I bought a package deal from a local guy that included a coop, chicks, feeder, waterer and a loaner brooder.
The coop is 4 x 4 with separate nesting boxes and an area for feed and water. We plan on letting them free range our yard during the day. I have six chicks. Does that coop size sound right??
I recently spoke with another guy that told me that that coop size could house as many as 12 hens! That seems a little cramped to me.
Help?

 

[ADozenGirlz]

Quote:

Our coop is 4'x6' and we bought it from Horizon Structures through MyPetChicken.com and they advertise it as being fit to house 12-15 chickens. We currently have 13 chickens, 4 of which are bantams and it is PLENTY big enough for them (and maybe two more?!). They only sleep & lay eggs in there, their run is covered from the elements, they like to hang out under the raised coop and they free range part of the day.
Your coop sounds spacious for six chickens but twelve might be a little cozy. I'm sure somebody will post here for you letting you know the industry standards for these things.
Welcome to BYC and to chicken-keeping! (just a cautionary note: you WILL have more than six chickens eventually! It's habit-forming! LOL!).

 

[Chicken0Boy]

If it is 4x4 it is big enough for 4 chickens (giving each chicken 4sqr feet) , but it depends on the chick. If they are bantams then it would be fine. If you really wanted to I guess you could add on and make it a 4x6 and that would be plenty room. Hope this helps! What breed are the chicks?

 

[Lofty Dreams]

I had the same question a while ago so I did some reseach. The more room you give your birds the less you have to wory about cleaning it constently. Though clean it, unless you want sick birds. The number of square footage is as followed . . .
Chickens
Standerd birds 3 - 4 sq feet
Bantams 1 - 2 sq feet
Ducks
at least 4 feet squared
Goose
6 sq feet

 

[Baymen Moe]

I think you'll find that a 4x4 coop will be to small for 6 standard breed chickens. I have the recomended space for my birds and more than enough space in my run but still have boredom issues. I have since fixed that with a little free ranging and a flock block. 12 hens in 16sq ft would be foolish IMO.

 

[Noncentzter]

The recommended spacing is 4sf/bird. Your 4'x4' coop will hold 4 chickens.

 

[Big George]

Absolutely big enough! They only go in there to sleep and use the nest box. As long as they have a run or outside they will be fine. You can easily get two roosting bars in a 4 x 4 coop. Put the nesting boxes on the outside to save floor space. Good luck

 

[ADozenGirlz]

I thought this thread was helpful: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=2132 Not all rules are hard-and-fast.

 

[mamdoe]

Well everyone seems to have a different opinion of what is big enough!!
Our plan has been to use the 4x4 coop temporarily. We have a large shed that we are planning to convert. We got the coop cause I knew it would be a while until we could finish the shed.
If the chickens have free range and are only in there at night, but have a larger coop for the winter months...I thought it would be ok.
Thanks for all the info.
Now if anyone has any good advice for converting a shed that would be much appreciated!

 

[BarredBuff]

I think its big enough for 6, I think since they are free ranged it wont make a difference, excpt during winter.