Just another coop question :)

[Brie6895]

I know! I'm sorry to ask another question I'm sure y'all have seen way to many times, but hey what else is the forum for.



Ok so my fiancé has almost finished building our coop and run.

Our run is 8x8. The actual coop is 4x4 and is around 4 ft tall in the back, 5 ft tall at the front, and 2ft of space underneath the whole thing. We're planning on having 2 nesting boxes.

Well.. We started out with 4 chickens. Now we have 5 and now I want just 1 more incase one of them is a roo. Does anyone else have 6 chickens in a 4x4. Is this just way to small for 6 chickens? I'm not sure if my run helps with the 4 sq ft per chick rule.
Besides a little extra poo what other problems might occur?
I don't think we will be able to let them free range enough to matter because we have 3 large dogs.

I'm trying to decide if I want to get just the extra one now while they are all 2 weeks and under. Or wait until my current 5 get bigger and see which ones I will be keeping. And if 2 end up being a roo or just mean Then get 2 new baby chicks and introduce them once they get bigger. But my problem will still be there, so what do y'all think? Am I crazy yet

The breeds I have are Cochins, buff orps, and an austroplorp.

 

[Sejeroo]

I am totally new to this too- we have 5 Chickens and the coop is about 5 x 3- I was afraid it would be a bit small, but they seem fine with it. We also have an 8 x 8 run. I haven't seen any signs of stress or pecking at each other.

Your coop is very nice!!

 

[Huskeriowa]

Hi,

4 sq ft / bird is just a guideline but it is a pretty good one. 6 birds in a 4x4 coop allows only a bit over 2.5 sq ft / bird. To me that seems a bit cramped. Good luck.