New Layer Raiser

[RTaddei]

Hi, I was raised on a farm but haven't had chickens since I was a kid. This is my first time raising from day old chicks. I live on 1.5 acres in NorCal. Right now my concern is the hen house structure. I plan to free range. I will be browsing the existing threads for ideas. My main question is if I free range 10 chickens, do I still need a coop at least 40 sf if they will only be in there at night? I will also have a covered enclosed run that I plan to be about 6' x 9'.

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

If you have any other questions, ask them in This forum. In the Learning centre, there are loads of helpful articles on coops, Here, and Here!

Good luck with your new flock!

 

[Zenmonkey]

Welcome aboard!

I believe the rule of thumb is 3 sq ft per chicken for night time roosting. Depending on where you are, you might get away with a 3 sided shelter instead. But please don't underestimate their need for a very well ventilated but draft free sleeping quarter. Bird don't breathe the way we do, and tight spaces lead to respiratory illness.

 

[nuthatched]

Yes. They'll be times where they need to be locked in for large spans of time such as poor weather, predators lurking (atleast 2 week lock down) and vacations.
Good coop and run size is essential.

 

[Nomadicus]

Hello and Welcome to BYC. Glad that you are here with us in this fun and poultry loving community.

 

[CurlyChickenGirly]

Welcome to BYC! Glad you joined!

 

[nuthatched]

Welcome aboard!

I believe the rule of thumb is 3 sq ft per chicken for night time roosting. Depending on where you are, you might get away with a 3 sided shelter instead. But please don't underestimate their need for a very well ventilated but draft free sleeping quarter. Bird don't breathe the way we do, and tight spaces lead to respiratory illness.

At least:
4 sq feet per bird in the coop, 14 linear inches of roost per bird, 1 sq foot of ventilation per bird, 8 sq feet of run per bird, and 1 box per 3/4 hens.

 

[RTaddei]

Welcome aboard!

I believe the rule of thumb is 3 sq ft per chicken for night time roosting. Depending on where you are, you might get away with a 3 sided shelter instead. But please don't underestimate their need for a very well ventilated but draft free sleeping quarter. Bird don't breathe the way we do, and tight spaces lead to respiratory illness.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[janiedoe]

Welcome to BYC!
I would go with the minimum of 40 square feet. Your run really needs to be much larger, even if you free range. At least 12 to 15 sq foot per bird unless they are bantams, then 8 sq foot may suffice. Sooner or later, a predator will come alon, you'll have a run of bad weather, or you'll need to take a few days off. A large run is necessary for any of those scenarios.

 

[sourland]

Hello, and welcome to BYC. With chickens, no question, bigger is better.