newbie questions

[GreenEyedMuse]

Hi all, I have been reading through a lot of the topics in this forum. I am wanting to get started on the coop before I order the chicks. I am wanting to raise for meat and eggs and have decided on Buff Orpingtons. I was told they are good mothers as well which is what I'm looking for so I dont have to keep buying chicks.
My questions are what size coop would I need for say 12-15 chickens? I am hoping that's a good number to start with. So I am wondering how big I should make the coop, how many nest boxes to make, and what size the run should be.
I appreciate any advice and help.
Thanks!

 

[Imp]

Quote:
Rough rule of thumb is 4 sf per bird in the coop, 10 sf per bird in the run. You can get by with less depending on how much time they have free ranging. Probably 4-5 nests would be OK. Good luck

Imp

 

[CityChook]

Think 15 birds x 4 sq/ft = 60 sq/ft minimum. That's 10x6-ish for the coop, 15x10ish for the run. I'd make both even bigger. BOs are big birds and I think all chickens benefit from additional space. Especially if you live where it snows.

I'd make 5 nest boxes. But chances are they might only use 2-3....

 

[ElioraImmanuel]

Do for 20 chickens I'd need and 8 x 10 shelter and 10 x 20 run? Wow! That's a lot of space. Our chickens will be able to free range in our alpaca pasture, though...

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
Not if you're one of the chickens it isn't

Seriously.


Pat, with 15 sq ft per chicken indoors, plus run, because they really do act differently that way than when given less space