New at raising chicks

[jc9766]

I'm planning on starting to raise chicks this spring- I'm trying to figure out the size of the coop that would be best- I was thinking of a 4 ft deep x 5 ft long and 4 feet high- I want to have 6 hens- medium and large. I live in upstate new york and will have some outdoor space for them but they will spend time inside and I want them to have enough room. Is this large enough?

 

[Framac]

The Basic Rule is 4 Square feet inside, and 10 Square feet outside per bird. In Winter if you Birds will be inside all day, you might want to up that a little.

Regards,

Chris

 

[citychickx6]

I agree the larger you can make it the better for them. Is it going to be a raised coop?
I like my walk in better than my raised since I can get into it to clean it easily.

 

[teach1rusl]

If you already know that your chickens will be spending time indoors (due to weather or other reasons), then I would go for at least 4 sq. ft per bird in your housing as well, as others have suggested. So if a coop that size is what you're planning, I would consider 4 - 5 birds rather than 6. And if you think you'd keep a feeder/waterer inside (some do/some don't), I'd go more for 4. If you're building a run as well, then you'll want at least about 10 sq. ft of space there (per bird).