This is why we have min space requirement confusion.

[LoneCowboy]

I got my Meyer catalog today and in 2 places that I saw, they say that you have to figure on 1-1.5 sq feet per mature bird. This is why there is so much confusion. It's not 1.5 square feet per bird. It's not even that for Bantams. Gee they take more room than that in my freezer.

People, be good to your birds, give them 4 sq. ft per bird.

 

[speckledhen]

Amen! Thank you, Deniece! Commercial factory farms cram them in spaces that tight. We certainly don't want our birds living like that.

 

[geoaware]

Our girls have about an acre a bird! Maybe its time for us to get some more!

Actually, they used to free range but a neighbors dog visiting and attacking has meant they now live in a fenced area of about 100 square feet.

 

[LoneCowboy]

Well, that's not outside space anyway. It's inside coop floor space.

 

[MiaPia]

So is 4 sq ft per bird the *minimum* or the ideal? We're building our coop - it will be 32 sq ft - and we are trying to figure out how many birds we can comfortably fit in there. We will start small with 3 or 4, but I'm hoping it will be big enough to eventually fit 6 or even 8?

I definitely want them to be happy though. I'll have fewer chickens if it means they will be happier!

 

[kstaven]

You can do 8 in your coop without issue mia.

 

[MiaPia]

Quote:
Thank you!

 

[Churkenduse]

I am way over the allowance, My girls cuddle in one corner leave tons of space, what a waste of space..

 

[Cheryl]

My coop is 4 x 6, I have 5 girls, and they all pile into one nest box at night to sleep!!! They hang out on the roost during the day, go figure! Oh, and they will be 22 weeks on tuesday, when exactly will they start laying?!!!

 

[Farmer Kitty]

Quote:
Exactly-who knows! They will lay in their own good time.