Square Footage vs. Volume?

[GA_in_GA]

Thank you for the explanation teach1rusl.

So I have nearly 8 sq ft in my mini-coop. But I have a nicely covered run that is 8' x 16'. Also live in an area with very little snow, and very mild winters.

 

[SteffyK]

I used a 10 x 12 barn style shed. The birds loved to roost on the rafters. We installed platforms on either side which created an aisle down the middle. During the day the chickens would stay on the ground or the shelves, but at night they were all up top. It was nice when it came time to cull out the roosters, I just went in, looked up, grabbed the intended victim by the legs and walked out. I counted the 'air space' in my square footage, but never filled the shed anyway.

 

[turbodog]

=teach1rusl OP - for the most part, you should only go by the footprint of the shelter (area) for living space. In places that get no snow in winter (and don't have a covered run), and the chickens are ONLY indoors from late evening until early morning, interior space (as long as there is plenty of roost length and space to hop up/down to the roosts) is much less of a concern. But for folks who like to sleep late, or who do get snows (because many chickens will not go out in snow) - then the footprint is important, because during daylight hours chickens don't tend to hang out on the roosts - they want to be down and moving about.

I agree here. My girls will hop up to roost for short periods during the day but mainly stay pecking around on the ground, so that's the most important "square footage" I would count. Anything else is for your convienience.