Thoughts on coop size???

[Jamiep101]

Hey!
I currently have 5 chickens ( 4 barred rocks and 1 EE) however I’m picking up 2 more EE this weekend. My coop is about 18 SQFT. I’m putting in some pop out nesting boxes to make more open space inside. Wondering if this will be an okay size for the hens. Run is 250 SQFT and they also get a couple hours of free range time
Thanks

 

[Rusty Hills Farm]

I've got 10 RIRs in a 4x8 coop and it's a bit tight. That's 32 sq ft and reds are smaller than barred rocks. So, no, I don't think that's a big enough coop for 7. Even tho your run is plenty big enough, I can't imagine there'd be near enough roosting space.

JMO

Rusty

 

[Sally PB]

For 7 birds, you should have at least 28 sf. and 7' of roost space. More is always better, especially now, because you have to integrate two groups of chickens.

Are you planning to quarantine the new birds?

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC. Where, in general, are you? Climate matters, especially when considering chicken housing.

The Usual Guidelines

For each adult, standard-sized hen you need:

• 4 square feet in the coop,
• 10 square feet in the run,
• 1 linear foot of roost,
• 1/4 of a nest box,
• And 1 square foot of permanent, 24/7/365 ventilation, preferably located over the birds' heads when they're sitting on the roost.

For 7 birds you should have at least:

• 28 square feet in the coop,
• 70 square feet in the run,
• 7 linear feet of roost,
• 2 nest boxes,
• and 7 square feet of ventilation.

The smallest coop you should keep 7 in is 4x7 -- but since lumber comes in multiples of 4 feet, 4x8 is more practical to build. 6x6 is also a good option since you can buy 12-foot boards and cut them in half.

Your huge run is *may* compensate for tight quarters in the coop, but only up to a point and only if you live in a mild climate where they are NEVER shut into the coop in the daylight either because you have closed them up or because the weather is too severe for them to go out.

My own flock is a little tight in the coop right now, but I live in just such a mild climate so my huge run with over 30 square feet per bird has compensated so far. If you live where you get snow you will need extra room for your birds to live in when they can't get outside.

Additionally, integration takes extra space.

First, you need space to quarantine away from your existing flock.

Second, you need space to set up a see-don't-touch system so that they can get used to each other without being able to hurt each other.

Third, you need extra space so that the new birds have places to hide and so that you can set up multiple feeders and waterers until the flock has fully accepted the newcomers.

Here are some useful articles on integration:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-new-chickens-using-the-“see-but-don’t-touch”-method.67839/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/adding-to-your-flock.47756/

And my integration pen inside my oversized run:

 

[Jamiep101]

For 7 birds, you should have at least 28 sf. and 7' of roost space. More is always better, especially now, because you have to integrate two groups of chickens.

Are you planning to quarantine the new birds?

Yes for a couple weeks. I’ll have a fenced off spot within the run for them and a spot in my shed for them to sleep. I do have 3 different roosting spots inside the coop totalling 7feet
I am considering expanding the coop by a couple feet to make a bit more room inside. They spend very little time inside, only to roost at night

 

[Chickensandhorsesforlife]

I always say go big so you can add more feather babies later on lol