Planning Questions

[AZTiff]

We are in the planning stages for our first backyard flock.

I have a space picked out that is 5 feet wide by 14 feet long (aka 70 square feet) to build a coop and run. While I hope to do some free range in the yard right now I need to plan for enclosure only.

So my question is how many hens should I be planning on for that area size?

Thanks, in advance, for you help.

 

[Dahlisgrams]

We are in the planning stages for our first backyard flock.

I have a space picked out that is 5 feet wide by 14 feet long (aka 70 square feet) to build a coop and run. While I hope to do some free range in the yard right now I need to plan for enclosure only.

So my question is how many hens should I be planning on for that area size?

Thanks, in advance, for you help.

I'm new too and have found this to be a wonderful community. We did the same thing recently and allowed the generally recommended ten square feet per bird for the outside run and 4 square feet/bird for the coop. So far so good. You could probably allow slightly less for the coop if they will only be inside at night, but I personally would not allow too much less unless you're going to have bantams. So, if your coop was 4.5x4.5 or a little larger, that would allow room for 4 or maybe 5 birds comfortably both inside and out. I hope this helps!

 

[AZTiff]

Thank you. That is sort of my thoughts from all I've read.

This is a great group of chicken lovers!