Question about size of coop.

[AccioSarah]

Just a quick question-

My coop is 5x4, and I was just wondering how many chickens that is supposed to hold. Attached is a run that is 7ft long and 4ft wide.
Just want to make sure I don't need to change anything up for my chicks before they move in in a few weeks.

Thanks!

 

[newchicksnducks]

If you are raising full size or standard breed chickens, they need 4 sq feet per bird. Your coop is 5x4 or 20 sq feet. This would enable you to have 5 birds. But take into consideration if nest boxes will be taking up floor space, feed, waterer, etc. if these are eating up floor space, you may need to cut back on how many birds you put into your coop. I believe the rule for bantams is 3 sq ft per chicken...not sure though.

The run is small...Are you planning on free ranging most of the day? If not, you will need to expand the run. The average size for run per bird is 10 square feet....

 

[Matt A NC]

Your coop would be large enough for 5 standard size birds if the roosts are placed well, but the run will limit you to 2 or 3 at the most.

Matt

 

[mrbstephens]

I hear anywhere between 2-4 sq ft per standard sized bird. The more, the better. Personally, I go with 3 sq ft and provide them with a real big run and time for free ranging.

 

[nancypo]

My run is about 5 x 3 and is comfortable for 3...

 

[AccioSarah]

Thanks for the help! I think we will be just fine then, I will have to tear down a wall and add more room if we ever decide to add any more chickens, but they should all be nice and comfy with what we have (4 chickens). We will also allow them to roam the yard, the run is really for when we are unable to watch them.

 

[elmo]

One rule of thumb many people use is 10 square feet per bird of run space. The run is the place your chickens are likely to spend the most of their daytime, active hours. Best not to skimp on run space, in my opinion.

 

[AccioSarah]

Quote:
Yeah, I've just gotten done talking to my Dad on this topic, and we will be expanding our coop before winter, and expanding their run before they are old enough to go out.
Their run is not their only space though- they will be allowed out daily in our (fenced) yard.

 

[AccioSarah]

If no one is able to answer this here, I'll ask it on another topic.

Can I have two separate coops attached to the same run, same flock? But for night-time, comfort, and winter, they can be closed in separate coops?
Let me know if anyone has information on this or if they have done it before...

((I would only need to do this if I get more chickens later on. I would like 6 total.))

 

[Matt A NC]

Quote:
I have 2 coops on my largest Lot. The outer coop is for the 'teenagers'. I have a wire partition that I put into place to seperate flocks. Once the teens get old enough I remove the partition and let them mingle with the main laying flock. The teens still go to their house to be shut up at night. This has always made integration much easier.

I do this every year. Right now the Teens are almost 3 months old. It will be another 2 months before I remove the partition.

Matt