Need advice for amount of chickens 4x4x6 coop please.

[clevergirl430]

Hello all! so I'm brand smackin' new to chickens! I'm going to get my flock in a month or so and I've been so confused about differing advice on the internet and the math/ standards for how many chickens can go in my size coop. it's a home built insulated 4ft wide 4 ft deep and 6 ft tall (at lowest point) coop. It's raised 24 inches off the ground and I'm finishing a 8x4 foot covered run with the extra 4 feet under the coop for dust bathing/additional scratching room. they will also be out in a large fenced area most of the year to roam around freely. so far I have 4 on hold from a local breeder. can I add more or stick with the 4? I've just seen so many different ideas on what's appropriate. please help!

 

[AGeese]

Hello and welcome to BYC. You want 4 sq ft per bird. Personally I wouldn't get more. Being brand new, just get used to the ones you're getting first. The breed makes a difference with size and temperment as well.

 

[StinkyAcres]

Welcome! What breed(s) are you getting? If you are getting standard-size chickens no more than 4 should fit comfortably, assuming you live in a colder climate since you mentioned your coop is insulated.

 

[clevergirl430]

Welcome! What breed(s) are you getting? If you are getting standard-size chickens no more than 4 should fit comfortably, assuming you live in a colder climate since you mentioned your coop is insulated.

hello! I'm in SE Wisconsin yes it gets pretty cold here although I will be moving south in the next few years and taking my girls. The 4 I'll be getting are a Jubilee orpington, Buff orpington, Salmon Faverolles, and a orpington barnyard mix

Welcome! What breed(s) are you getting? If you are getting standard-size chickens no more than 4 should fit comfortably, assuming you live in a colder climate since you mentioned your coop is insulated.

 

[clevergirl430]

Hello and welcome to BYC. You want 4 sq ft per bird. Personally I wouldn't get more. Being brand new, just get used to the ones you're getting first. The breed makes a difference with size and temperment as well.

Hello and welcome to BYC. You want 4 sq ft per bird. Personally I wouldn't get more. Being brand new, just get used to the ones you're getting first. The breed makes a difference with size and temperment as well.

Hello and thank you! I'm getting 3 Orpingtons and a Salmon Faverolle. I was likely going to stick to just those this year but had someone offer me an Australorp chick too and another mix but I definitely don't want to crowd them

 

[AGeese]

Those are all pretty docile breeds, they should be ok together. My only concern would be the barnyard mix. What does that mean? Hopefully it's just mixed with another docile breed. I'd say 4 is a good start.

Share some pics of your coop if you're willing.

 

[thistlewick]

Take it from all the mistakes I made initially that cost me thousands of dollars;

stick with your 4 -- that is literally the perfect number of hens for daily egg usage. Once they begin laying you will get 1-4 eggs a day and that is literally all you will ever need.

Also; the more room your hens have in their coop/hen house the happier and healthier they will be, full stop.

 

[Loving my girls]

Oh wow ! are you in for some fun and a life long adventure !
Welcome to the gang of Chicken Nuts.
I agree with the others and, to be honest, four is a great number to start with.
Great to have you with us

 

[clevergirl430]

Those are all pretty docile breeds, they should be ok together. My only concern would be the barnyard mix. What does that mean? Hopefully it's just mixed with another docile breed. I'd say 4 is a good start.

Share some pics of your coop if you're willing.

Right now the coop is still under construction due to the crazy cold snap we had in my area so it just the wood box, legs and insulation. have to paint and put in the bead board. haven't even attached the nesting box or roof yet but I will try and get some pics tomorrow if the weather is still clear. the mix is a birchen and chocolate laced orpington cross so also likely docile. also getting from a lady who has gorgeous wonderful birds who are sweet so I'm pretty confident they'll play nice. I picked those breeds specifically because I wanted snuggly ladies.

Take it from all the mistakes I made initially that cost me thousands of dollars;

stick with your 4 -- that is literally the perfect number of hens for daily egg usage. Once they begin laying you will get 1-4 eggs a day and that is literally all you will ever need.

Also; the more room your hens have in their coop/hen house the happier and healthier they will be, full stop.

Hi Thank you! yeah I think I've decided to stick with my 4. These will also be my much loved pets and I don't want to crowd them too much especially when it drops into the minus temps here in Wisconsin.

 

[texsuze]

Four sounds like a good number based on your planned coop dimensions. My coop is similar size, elevated on four posts, that sits completely within an approx 8 x 14' run. My girls free range all day, so they're only in the coop to either lay eggs or sleep at night. If my girls were confined to a coop/run without free ranging I would've made everything larger.

Also, if you do a "southward relo", anticipating warmer temperatures, you could plan for larger housing and a few more hens at that time.