Small - Medium or Large? What shall it be

[Leal Ladies]

I was wondering if anyone can share their thoughts on what size of coop we should build for 6 chicks

I am looking for something simple but cute. They are ladies after all.

 

[DobieLover]

I was wondering if anyone can share their thoughts on what size of coop we should build for 6 chicks

I am looking for something simple but cute. They are ladies after all.

You'll want something on the order of 24 sq feet. For efficient use of building supplies, you may want to consider just going with 4x8.
There are lots of ideas on the medium coop article pages.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Where are you located? Climate has an influence in this.

How big of a run are you planning? Chickens don't understand words like coop spaced or run space, they just understand if they have the room they need when they need it. That's part of why your climate is important, if the run is not available because of weather it doesn't count.

What breeds and sizes are you getting? Bantams don't need as much room as full sized fowl.

I totally agree with simple. You need to make it convenient for you to manage it. Simple to build is a huge benefit. You are important in this. Cute you can manage with paint and other stuff. That has nothing to so with size, just your imagination. With paint and maybe cut-outs you can turn most coops into Tinkerbells' castle, a field of flowers, or about anything else you can imagine. You say Tink doesn't have a castle. Well, design her one. Have fun doing it.

 

[Leal Ladies]

You'll want something on the order of 24 sq feet. For efficient use of building supplies, you may want to consider just going with 4x8.
There are lots of ideas on the medium coop article pages.

Thank you!

 

[Leal Ladies]

Where are you located? Climate has an influence in this.

How big of a run are you planning? Chickens don't understand words like coop spaced or run space, they just understand if they have the room they need when they need it. That's part of why your climate is important, if the run is not available because of weather it doesn't count.

What breeds and sizes are you getting? Bantams don't need as much room as full sized fowl.

I totally agree with simple. You need to make it convenient for you to manage it. Simple to build is a huge benefit. You are important in this. Cute you can manage with paint and other stuff. That has nothing to so with size, just your imagination. With paint and maybe cut-outs you can turn most coops into Tinkerbells' castle, a field of flowers, or about anything else you can imagine. You say Tink doesn't have a castle. Well, design her one. Have fun doing it.

Thank you for your response. I am in Texas and we have black australorps.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I like Black Australorp, they fit my goals pretty well.

In Texas they will be able to get outside pretty much all day every day if they wish. That takes a lot if pressure off the coop size. As a minimum I'd either go 4' x 6' with two nests hung off outside to the coop or 4' x 8' with two nests inside. Or 4x8 with nests hung off outside. There is nothing wrong with bigger. For roosts I'd put one across the 4' span on one end 12" from the wall with a second one 12" further offset from the first.

For the run I'd go with a minimum 6' (or preferably 8') wide to match the coop length and at least 8' long. Again bigger is better.

My personal preference is for a walk-in coop on the ground but I have a lot more than 6 birds. I could easily see yours elevated with the area under the coop also available to the chickens. That provides good shade in Texas and maybe a dry pace to feed.

There is a lot of personal preference in this. Others can have different ideas. With these as minimum sizes I think you'll be OK.