need a little help

[missy78]

I have 18 little chickens and my chicken lot is 8 by 12. I need to know how large to make the roost. do I need to enclose it or leave it open? the lot is mostly enclosed yet has dirt flooring. thank you

 

[thomasboyle]

Some more info would be helpful. What part of the country are you located in and what type of coop do you have. Do you let your chickens out of the pen to roam in the yard? The general rule of thumb is to have a coop that provides 4 sq ft per bird, and 10 sq ft per bird in the run. For 18 birds, you are looking at 72 sq ft which is 8'x9' for the coop. Inside the coop, you will want 18' of roost, or 1 ft per bird. A 2x4 or 2x3 (flat side up) makes a good roost. To maximize space, you can elevate your coop, and that way the chickens will still have the entire area of the run to enjoy, and the elevated coop will provide shade.