settle a debate

[saellis]

When in doubt go for fewer chickens than you think is the maximum for the allowed space. No one ever heard a veteranarian say, "Your chickens are sick because they have too much space. Cram two more in the coop and call me in the morning."

 

[WoodlandWoman]

Another really important consideration is what your weather is like, especially your winter weather. Snow or more extreme cold can have them in the coop for weeks or months at a time.

 

[wsmith]

When in doubt go for fewer chickens than you think is the maximum for the allowed space. No one ever heard a veteranarian say, "Your chickens are sick because they have too much space. Cram two more in the coop and call me in the morning."

True words. More space is always better. My roosts in the main hen house are nearly 3 feet off the ground. Lots of room. When it is nasty outside, they can stay in if they choose and all are happy and busy. I have a neighbor down the road that has an itsy bitsy "coop" that they bought at a local famr supply. It would probably be fine for "smaller than bantam" chickens. They have since built a new coop and the old one sits there looking silly.

From the photos, you have a good idea, I would just enlarge it. I also have 4 brooding/breeder coops. These are 3 X 4, 12 square feet floor space. They are for no more than 4 adult chickens (a trio) The roosts in these are 12 inches above the floor, the nest boxes are attached to the outside with inside chicken access, but they are lower than the floor by a couple of inches. Eventually they will be used only for brooding, as they are too small for what i want. I will be building two 6 X 8 breeder houses/pens over the fall and winter for next spring's use.

saellis, you should visit the Colorado Thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/68894/colorado/14700#post_11075919