New Chicken Owner... Coop/Run Big Enough??

[chickiechick12]

Hello All!

I'm new to this chicken thing but pretty much instantly obsessed. I just got 8 sweet Buff Orpingtons this past week. They are doing wonderfully.



I bought a 3x6 coop with 4 nest boxes. They will be free range in the summer and in the winter I'll have the coop enclosed in a 12x12 sq ft run. Is this big enough? We have 24 acres for them to explore but obviously in the New Hampshire winter, they won't be going far and I want them comfortable inside a run.

 

[sonjab314]

If I recall correctly you are supposed to give a minimum of 4 sq. ft. per bird if this helps you

 

[curious chickee]

Each bird will need 10"-12" roost space to sleep, also are chicks straight run or sexed pullets and are you keeping Roos?

 

[chickiechick12]

Each bird will need 10"-12" roost space to sleep, also are chicks straight run or sexed pullets and are you keeping Roos

We are not keeping any roosters, they are sexed but still a chance some might be roosters. I was aiming for 6 chickens after any illnesses and/or roosters.

 

[TheRambler]

The minimum space per bird is 2 sqft. And it gradually escalates up depending on who you talk to. Nowadays its common for people to recommend 4sqft/bird. Some people even say 5-6. But the standard is 2sqft. The more space you give them the better within reason, and the coop will be cleaner in general with more space. Staying around 2sqft will mean more frequent coop cleanings for sure. As long as roost space is adequate for the amount of birds, then the actual square footage of the coop is less meaningful. They also need less space if they are free ranging or have access to a large run during the day. Roost space is by far the most critical in my opinion. You want at least 6-12inches per bird, and i think the sweet spot is around 8-10 inches. Using a 1x8 or 2x8 as a roost in a small coop can help maximize space as they will stagger themselves on it and have plenty of space but in a shorter span than say using a 2x4. They usually roost fairly close together anyway, i never see them spaced evenly 1 foot apart, just sayin. But they do need room to turn around in a circle essentially on the roost, shift etc, which is the purpose of the 6-12in

 

[tracecom]

I hate to be a spoil sport, but I think when your hens are grown, they will be crowded, especially in the winter. I have three BO hens, and they are very busy, always scratching and looking for something to eat. They lay eggs that are almost pink when compared to a RIR egg. Very nice chickens.

 

[chickiechick12]

I did a lot of research on Buff's and am really excited to have that breed! I was really hoping for 6 chickens which would give me 3sq ft per chicken in the coop and 16sq ft per chicken in the run (only in winter) During spring/summer/fall they will have 4 acres each out of our 24 acres

If I do end up with the full 8 chickens being healthy and hens is where I'll run into trouble because I'll have 2.25 sq ft per chicken in the coop. The run will still be fine in the winter and obviously they will be fine on our 24 acres. I want them comfy. I might see if my neighbor wants 2 if I end up with 8...

 

[guillemette]

You will be fine with the space u have more is better but they will do fine with 2ft of space they mey not be quite as happy when it's cold out and they find them self stuck in the coop but hay we all hate the feeling of being all cooped up in the winter.

 

[donrae]

I think you're going to be courting behavioral issues next winter. Your full grown hens will be too crowded in that coop during the winter. Fortunately, you have lots of time to get them more space before bad weather sets in.

 

[mermaids]

Buff orps are relatively docile and sedentary so they tolerate confinement well don't they? And they'll huddle more in cold weather. Does that factor in?
I'm not familiar with the breed, just raising other points to consider.