is this too small

[ECBW]

5x4 for 6 sound good, I have about the same ratio. I also have a run 3x the area as the coop. I know they prefer no fences but they are healthy and happy.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Quote:
A triangle 8' x 4' has 16 square feet in it. For 4 chickens, that is 4 sqaure feet per bird.

A 12' x 12' pen has 144 square feet in it. For 4 chickens, that is 36 square feet per bird.

They have access from dwn to dusk. Sounds like they should be happy.

 

[Heathero617]

Quote:
A triangle 8' x 4' has 16 square feet in it. For 4 chickens, that is 4 sqaure feet per bird.

A 12' x 12' pen has 144 square feet in it. For 4 chickens, that is 36 square feet per bird.

They have access from dwn to dusk. Sounds like they should be happy.

LOL well thank ya, guess i can add another 100 or so?

 

[Fowl97]

before i realized i had too small when i had my last set of four in a coop that was half the size they all were fine all year round. i put a tarp around the run all winter so snow isnt in it and i try my best at keeping them. it to me seems like they have a lot of room but i guess it isnt enough. any ideas on how to expand it more from the picture. we are making the run larger currently and they free range all day they only use the run when we are on vacation. both the food and water stay in the run so that isnt in there to make less space and the nest box is off the side so that isnt in the way either. they all get along really well so i feel like the coop is all set but i again dont want to come off to you guys as a bad owner or someone who doesnt care about their birds because they are my only pets and i want them to be happy. i would love to make a giant 6 by 6 by 6 coop and we thought about it but we live on less than an acre and aren't supposed to have chickens as it is so we dont really want a giant building screaming hey here is a illegal coop come bust them!!! but we want them to be happy. like i saw this http://www.mypetchicken.com/catalog/Chicken-Coops/The-Stealth-Coop-p493.aspx its 3.8 sq ft and they say put 2 in it and they expect them to always stay in it because its a stealth coop. it just seems to me like everyone has their own ideas on what size is enough. im not trying to be a jerk i am trying to learn and make sure they will be ok and happy

 

[weeders n feeders]

Everyone has their own ideas about what works and all for valid reasons. Everybody's situation is a little different. Then the chickens have their own ideas. Since this is already built except for expanding the run, then try it and see. If they start bickering, won,t settle down at night or put their little wings on their hips and stomp their feet at you then you need to expand. Have faith in yourself and let the birds tell you what you they need.

 

[Fowl97]

thanks weeders that is a very good way to put it and i think i am going to try that. they all "love" eachother right now but they are only still little birds the pecking order has already been setteled for now the delaware than the buff o, jersy giant than buckeye and the 2 ee's that are a month or 2 older are at the bottom

 

[hannakat]

Quote:
I enjoyed the link ... thank you. Pretty cool idea but man that thing is tiny. I wonder if it's really good to keep chickens in such a small enclosure but then a lot of chickens probably are. I don't think the designer really had happy chickens in mind and it was a bit upsetting to think the instructions say the water container only needs filled once or twice a week. grrrrrrrr

 

[Fowl97]

im with you on that.

 

[valley ranch]

With the roosts you have I think it is great for 6 hens.

 

[matimeo]

If they only sleep in the coop then it is way more than enough space. Don't sweat it. I have four chickens in a 3 x 4 coop and they free range and only sleep in the coop. I wish I had made it smaller.