Trying to understand needed coop size

[risadawn]

I've done a lot of reading about coop sizes, but I still don't have my specific question answered. I've seen needed coop size ranging from 2 - 4 sq ft per bird. Is that size coop AND run or just coop? Can I have a smaller coop if I have a large run (like possibly my whole backyard)?

I have 9 hens so if I have to have 2-4 sq ft per bird that's a huge coop!

Also, the roosting rods that the chickens use - is it better to have squareish ones or round ones? Or is that owner preference?

Thanks in advance!!

**edit** We will be moving at some point (possibly soon, but I don't know yet) and I would prefer to take the coop with me. We have to fit it through the gate, so it will be narrow to begin with.

 

[Cargo]

4sq ft per hen in the coop and 10 sq ft per hen outside the coop.
So that is a total of 14 sq ft per hen.
And that is the Bare Minimum. It is much better for your hens if they have lots more room.

 

[risadawn]

Hmmm.... Since I have to keep size for moving in mind, Is there any reason, I can't build two coops with access to the same run? Would I need to separate the hens in each coop or let them figure it out?

 

[pgrommesh]

I have 16 hens and a Roo and my coop is 48 sq ft (8x6ft), that's about 3 sqft per bird and I couldn't imagine it being much smaller or having more birds. I have a run that is 8ft x 24ft (192 sq ft) that they have access to all day long (when locked in) and they have created a wasteland of the terrain.

If you havn't built the coop yet I wouldn't build anything smaller than 20 sq ft, and more realistically atleast 40 sq ft because you never know when you will see a chicken you just cant live without. 2 -4 sq ft is just for the coop. If you are going to give them your whole backyard for a run well then thats great, but you still wont be able to make a coop that is less than 20 sq ft. If it is a chicken tractor you're making 4 sq ft per bird would be fine, but if its a fixed space realize they will scratch the ground bare in a few months if its less than 50 sq ft per bird. When I had 6 birds and the same 192 sq ft run they cleaned the ground bare in about 6 weeks, I let them free range the backyard now for 1/2 the day and they are excited to see me walking over every day around noon because they know im letting them loose.

For perches, I just used standard 2x2 boards (1.5 inch x 1.5 inch) and it works great for them. I dont think it would be good if it was round like what we put our hangars on in the closet, but a little rounded on the edges might be ok, but not necessary imo. One of my cochins perches on a 1/2 inch piece of plywood, not sure why she likes it, but it works for her.

 

[KDK1]

I've done a lot of reading about coop sizes, but I still don't have my specific question answered. I've seen needed coop size ranging from 2 - 4 sq ft per bird. Is that size coop AND run or just coop? Can I have a smaller coop if I have a large run (like possibly my whole backyard)?

I have 9 hens so if I have to have 2-4 sq ft per bird that's a huge coop!

Also, the roosting rods that the chickens use - is it better to have squareish ones or round ones? Or is that owner preference?

Thanks in advance!!

**edit** We will be moving at some point (possibly soon, but I don't know yet) and I would prefer to take the coop with me. We have to fit it through the gate, so it will be narrow to begin with.

It all depends on your management techniques, area, weather etc. If they can access a large run year round like mine can, you can easily get by with two SF per bird. If you live in an area with inclement weather where they will have to be cooped up for an extended period, you will need at least 4 SF of coop space. The 4/10 SF rule is just a basic guideline that MOST folks on this forum go by. I, for one, do not. JMHO of course. When given a choice, my birds prefer a natural cedar limb, three to five inches in diameter, over a 2X4.

 

[risadawn]

Haha! Our backyard is nothing but crabgrass and leaves, so if they scratch it bare, all the better! And yes, we live in an area that they can access the run/yard year round.

Thanks for the info!

Another question, and it might be a 'duh' question - We have plenty of shade and sun in the backyard. The place I want to put the coop is shady all the time. Is there any reason it SHOULDN'T be there? It gets pretty hot here in direct sun in the summer, so I was thinking that we should have it in the shade. Depending on how heavy it is, we might be able to move it in the winter to a sunnier spot. Or I'll just run a cord and heat lamps out there. We don't get snow, but a couple winters ago, it did get below freezing at night and was in the 40's and 50's during the day. Though that's not normal.

 

[pgrommesh]

I dont think you will have a problem with it being too cold in Sonoma Ca, even with the occasional 20 F. thats not cold enough as long as your coop isnt completely drafty. I'd say build it in the shade. In a perfect world I would say a few hours of sun in the morning and the rest of the day shade.

 

[risadawn]

In a perfect world I would say a few hours of sun in the morning and the rest of the day shade.

That's a good possibility. Thanks!

 

[Aschenfire]

It all depends on your management techniques, area, weather etc. If they can access a large run year round like mine can, you can easily get by with two SF per bird. If you live in an area with inclement weather where they will have to be cooped up for an extended period, you will need at least 4 SF of coop space. The 4/10 SF rule is just a basic guideline that MOST folks on this forum go by. I, for one, do not. JMHO of course. When given a choice, my birds prefer a natural cedar limb, three to five inches in diameter, over a 2X4.

I agree... the size formula seems to be one which (I think) was written in a book at one time, and it just gets passed down person to person, no matter what management style you use for your birds. I don't buy into the "you need a huge coop and run" line of thinking. Before I sold my flock of 6 large fowl, three Polish and four Silkies (that is 17 birds) they were in a 125 square foot run with a roof over one end. Texas here so I have never seen the need to build a "coop" as long as they have wind and rain shelter. but... note... that was 125 square feet total. They had about an hour and a half of *free range* time in my large fenced yard, to scratch and run and flap. I never had aggression or pecking problems, and my birds were never sick. Did they need more room? I'd say probably not. So consider your birds, and how you intend to manage them, then decide on how big to build

 

[risadawn]

Awesome! Thanks! The design we have drawn up right now is 2 SF per bird, but they'll have a lot of space outside during the day.