nesting boxes,3 or 4 hens

[stooges3]

I have two questions.I'm new at this and want to make sure all is OK.Ive already built my coop and run and am waiting to get my girls.My nesting boxes are 16dx10.5wx12h is this OK?I was going to get 3 chickens but was told one would be picked on because of the odd number.Should i get 4?My coop is 4ft.x3ft. and the run is 6ft x 7ft.Would 4 be OK?

 

[Mahonri]

Coop is just big enough for 3 and one nest box 12" X 12" X 12" would do.

 

[BarredBuff]

The coop is big enough for 4-6 hens and a 1ft by 1ft nest is what you need. Good Luck!

 

[teach1rusl]

The unofficial rule of thumb is 4 sq. feet of indoor space per bird for standard breeds, 2 sq. feet for bantum breeds. Especially if you live in a cold weather area, you want as much indoor space as you can get in case of bad weather that the chickens won't go out in. I don't think having three chickens would be a problem. There's always going to be a pecking order, whether you have 3 or 33. I think three will do fine together. With low numbers, especially if you have friendly breed, there's a strong chance for harmony. I would be more concerned about trying to fit four birds in there. Crowding is more likely to result in pecking problems than an odd number of chickens.... Have fun with your new birds!

ETA...folks have nesting boxes of all sizes. I would worry a bit about your nest box being too narrow...maybe not enough turn-around room?? For three birds, one nest box would be fine.

 

[gsim]

Everyone pretty well covered it. If you already have the nest box, then by all means try it. If not, then build one 12 x 12 or 14 x 14. One of those is enough. Next time think of doing a bumpout for the nest box to max out the available floor space. Do not add any chickens unless you are in So Cal, Ariz, or Fla. It will be too hard on them in wintertime and will stress them. They will not lay as well nor live as long if stressed. They are far more likely to fight if too confined. You should try to make up for it with a really spacious run.