The age old question... Square footage in coop

[TheBeardie]

I've had chickens for most of my life, I've always worked with the coop size(s) to keep the flocks happy. Soon, a new coop will be built, the coop will be open air and as big as I can make it. I will be able to free-range the chickens part of the time and have them in a 4,200 ft² fenced-in area the remaining time.

I've read that 2-6ft² is a good idea for a coop and 10+ft² is best for flocks unable to free-range.

Knowing that I can free-range and have a large fenced-in area, what would you guys suggest for coop square footage?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Since you are in Florida I don't think you will need as much coop room. There's a huge difference here between summer and winter in my shed, so I have to be careful to stock for winter not summer. You probably don't have that problem.

Being in a warmer wetter climate you may need to think more about diseases, and worms, in factoring your stocking rate. From my understanding you can have more problems with coccidiosis? There will be a number that will be too much on the ground.

Make sure you provide hang out spots in your free range area to encourage birds to move out. Mine will go where there's cover. We purposely keep some old trucks out so birds can hide out under them. My birds also stick to the tree line, and hide under shrubs.

Bigger is always better, so always shoot for that when possible.

 

[TheBeardie]

As a warm and wet place coccidiosis likes it here. I tend to keep corid around, especially when I have chicks.

The free-range area is my front yard. It's large enough that the flock doesn't explore out of my comfort zone. I have plenty of old cars, thanks to my ex-mechanic grandfather, trees and other various things that can be used for cover.

That's what I'm trying to do, get the coop as big as possible. More is always better!

 

[imnukensc]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-much-room-do-chickens-need.66180/

 

[TheBeardie]

I did some quick math (that might be wrong ) using 3ft². A 17×11, 187ft², coop could theoretically fit up to 62 chickens! That's more than I'm planning to have at one time and would allow me to add birds in the coop if needed.

A coop this big should grant me some wiggle room in the future.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I did some quick math (that might be wrong ) using 3ft². A 17×11, 187ft², coop could theoretically fit up to 62 chickens! That's more than I'm planning to have at one time and would allow me to add birds in the coop if needed.

A coop this big should grant me some wiggle room in the future.

My shed has about 30 by 40 feet of useable chicken space. It's behaviorally full at about 80-85 birds. I don't believe in the recommended square foot at all. Too many factors are involved.

 

[TheBeardie]

My shed has about 30 by 40 feet of useable chicken space. It's behaviorally full at about 80-85 birds. I don't believe in the recommended square foot at all. Too many factors are involved.

Like I said, theoretically. I also believe behavior is a big part in how many can be put in one space. I'm maxing myself out around 30, already have 10 standard pullets and would like to have extra room for squabbles and the possible new flock mates.

 

[Ridgerunner]

A lot of it depends on how you plan to manage them. Are you planning on a coop where you will leave them locked up for a while while they are awake or will they have access to that 4200 square feet area really soon after they wake up? That free range area doesn't count if they don't have access to it but with 4200 square feet that's not a big deal.

You say open air. How do you plan on building it? Most dimensioned building materials come in standard 4' and 8' sizes so you are usually better off using those dimensions, less cutting and waste. But if you are using wire you can be looser with your dimensions and still be efficient. You mentioned maxing out at 30 chickens.

I can see one of two scenarios. One is a regular coop, good protection against weather maybe 8' x 16' (or bigger) but with good ventilation. That would be used for nests and to lock them up at night safe from predators. That may be a bit bigger than the absolute minimum but you should be able to leave them locked in there a couple of hours after they wake up if you want to sleep in. I'd have food and especially water in the building if they are locked in there very long. One end could be wire.

Or I could see you building a smaller area where they can roost and have nests in shelter but it be a lot of wire too. Say have an area maybe 8' x 8' with a roof and walls on three sides. an 8' x 12' could work with the cut-offs used to build nests. Those sides don't even have to go all the way to the ground in Florida. All you are trying to do is keep the nests dry and the worst of the wind off the chickens as they roost. Put the nests and roosts inside where they are sheltered. Then build a wire pen onto that which the chickens have access to 24/7. I don't know how big that has to be or how to configure it. Some of that would depend in what the area looks like and maybe how much wire is on a roll. Maybe an 8' x 30' area (including the roosts/nest area) or 15' x 16'. Bigger is better. As long as it is predator proof including climbing and dig protection you could probably leave them locked in there all the time. If you leave them locked in there much all the grass will disappear.

In Florida you have a lot of options. Good luck!

 

[Melky]

I've had chickens for most of my life, I've always worked with the coop size(s) to keep the flocks happy. Soon, a new coop will be built, the coop will be open air and as big as I can make it. I will be able to free-range the chickens part of the time and have them in a 4,200 ft² fenced-in area the remaining time.

I've read that 2-6ft² is a good idea for a coop and 10+ft² is best for flocks unable to free-range.

Knowing that I can free-range and have a large fenced-in area, what would you guys suggest for coop square footage?

I wouldn’t go below 4 sq ft per bird in the coop for flock happiness. Run space sounds about right.

 

[flyin-lowe]

Assuming they are always going to have access to the outside and winters won't be an issue I would figure the maximum number you ever plan to have and go with 4sq. feet per bird from that number. If you have less they will have more space which is never an issue. If for some reason there will be times that you won't let them out then you would wan't more then 4 sq ft to keep them happy.