NEW COOP!!!!!!!! max capacity????

[joe17]

I am making a new coop that is 10 by 8 and the run is 6 by 8. What is the maximum amount of silkies I could fit in this coop?? How much roost space and nests should I put if I fill this coop to the max??

 

[Soaring Chicks]

I would say close to 35 for silkies. The run would not hold that many. So I would do less then that. Hope this helps you.

 

[joe17]

thanks soo much!!! Wow thats a lot of silkies!!! WHy does the run have to be soo big??? I just thought I would put a small run for them just to peck in.

 

[elmo]

Of course, the maximum capacity of any environment isn't anywhere near the optimal capacity. At maximum capacity, you're going to have to work really hard to keep things clean and healthy, and the possibility of personality conflicts between birds is higher than at lower capacities. The more crowded birds are, the more stressed they are, even if you haven't slipped over that dividing line into "overcrowding."

I'd rather have fewer, happier birds and less work for me.

 

[teach1rusl]

They need more space in the run than in the coop because that's where they will spend most of their days. Ideally, with the exception of rough weather, the actual housing will only be for sleeping and egg laying. Wouldn't you want the rest of your house bigger than your bedroom???? And I totally agree with elmo. Don't focus on how many you can squeeze in there. Consider instead the space needed to keep the chickens healthy and happy, and to make management simple. Crowded birds = stressed birds = problems. A typical run is at least 2x as large as the housing, because recommended space for the run is more than double recommended space for the housing. If silkies are bantams (I only know what they look like, not their size), then I would NOT put more than 10 silkies in your coop (based on run size).

 

[patandchickens]

It always worries me when people ask about "maximum capacity".

That is never a good question to ask w/r/t pets or livestock, IMHO. (Not for the animals' sake, anyhow).

Consider asking, rather, "how few can I be content with, so that they can have the best living conditions possible?". Because more room really IS better.

Having tried 4 sq ft (indoors, with additional run) per chicken AND 15 sq ft (indoors, with additional run) per chicken, I would never ever go back to 4 sq ft because they really do act QUITE A LOT different with the greater amount of space. Also management is a lot easier, and problems fewer.

JMHO, good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[chickenboy7c2d]

i'd keep about 10-15 in the coop so they have plenty of room to behave like chickens

 

[joe17]

I really just wanted to know if my 6 silkies would fit in the coop. I am by no means going to put more than 10 in the coop at one time! I want my pet silkies to be comfortable. Would my six silkies be satisfied with my run??

 

[teach1rusl]

Yes, 6 silkies should be happy in your set-up