two chicken coops enough for 6 chickens?

[juleschx]

I am starting out in July as a first time chicken owner. I could not build my own coop, so I purchased this coop. Its the Sentinel Coop from Producers Price at Tractor Supply.
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/producers-pride-mini-defender-coop-mdc001-1485300
My question is, we were thinking of starting with four chickens, so I got the one coop. Now I am adding two more chickens for a total of six. I was thinking of purchasing a second TS coop (same one) or is that too much room for six chickens? Six nesting boxes. I assume its not too much, but wanted to ask in case someone knows something I dont. (Which is a lot).

I think six chickens will be too much for the one coop. I am considering a smaller second coop if I do not get the second TS coop. Thank you!

 

[DobieLover]

The coop you purchased is NOT large enough, by far, for 6 birds. Humanely, only 2 birds should be housed in it and only if a much larger run has been added to it.

Do you have any construction skills at all or know someone who does? The easiest way to get a properly sized and designed coop with the biggest bang for your buck is to modify a shed. You can sometimes find used sheds at shed yards when they remove an old shed from a buyers property before placing the new one.

 

[juleschx]

The coop you purchased is NOT large enough, by far, for 6 birds. Humanely, only 2 birds should be housed in it and only if a much larger run has been added to it.

Do you have any construction skills at all or know someone who does? The easiest way to get a properly sized and designed coop with the biggest bang for your buck is to modify a shed. You can sometimes find used sheds at shed yards when they remove an old shed from a buyers property before placing the new one.

My question was if TWO of the coops would be enough/too much for six birds. I guess I was not clear, sorry. They are going to have a 10x20 run with their coops enclosed in it. They will also be able to roam around our yard.

 

[juleschx]

The coop you purchased is NOT large enough, by far, for 6 birds. Humanely, only 2 birds should be housed in it and only if a much larger run has been added to it.

Do you have any construction skills at all or know someone who does? The easiest way to get a properly sized and designed coop with the biggest bang for your buck is to modify a shed. You can sometimes find used sheds at shed yards when they remove an old shed from a buyers property before placing the new one.

No construction skills and no one around me that does, a shed has been an option in the future... Chickens will not be ready for the coop until August.

 

[DobieLover]

My question was if TWO of the coops would be enough/too much for six birds. I guess I was not clear, sorry. They are going to have a 10x20 run with their coops enclosed in it. They will also be able to roam around our yard.

No. TWO coops won't be enough space let alone too much. The coop is extremely tiny. Per bird, chickens require 3.5-4 sq ft of floor space, 1 linear ft of roost space, 1 nest box per 4-5 hens, as close to 1 sq ft of permanently open ventilation and an additional 15 sq ft of run space. If you can return the coop, I suggest you do so and get something correctly sized and designed.

No construction skills and no one around me that does, a shed has been an option in the future... Chickens will not be ready for the coop until August.

Chicks can (and should) be brooded directly in the coop using a brooder plate or mama heating pad. It is very much healthier for all involved.

 

[Altairsky]

I'm really sorry but I'd use that coop to house ONE single broody hen that is sitting on eggs. It's not big enough not even for 2 hens. Maybe 2 bantams.

 

[chooki]

That coop could suit 6 chickens, but only if you intend to house them there at night and let them free range in much larger area during the day.

That coop suits maybe 2 adult chickens, I think it might be okay for 6 chicks if they are just a few weeks old as small chicks need less space.

Cramming too many chickens in small area will stress out your birds, you are likely to end up with pecking/bullying problems down the track.

 

[Rose Quartz]

For 6 chickens youre looking for a 4ft x 6ft floor space as a minimum.

Generally i find that too small depending on the breeds some are really not suited to close quarters.

Even if you have no experience with construction, putting plywood sheets together with 2x4s in the corners and 1 whole wall on hinges to close with gravity would be better than the tractor supply coop.

We're not trying to sound judgemental, just trying to save you money in the long run, and healthier birds too.

Youd need 3 of those coops for 6 chickens, and from what ive heard they dont last very long, just a couple years.

 

[Sefirothe]

I have seven hens in this set up. The shed is 8'x12' divided in half, so the chickens have access to 8'x6'. The run is 8'x12'.

I'm still having issues with maybe mites causing feather damage, maybe feather picking by the hens. Im trying to cover both possibilities by treating all for mites and putting pinless peepers on the couple hens with no feather damage. Just in case. Clutter has been added to the run. They get some supervised free range time, but not unlimited.

Just my inside coop area in the shed is about the same size as the entire footprint of two of those TSC coops.

 

[ChaosMom]

Along with adding clutter in the run, which you’re doing, consider adding vertical stuff - branches, 2x4’s, perches off the ground. Chickens are descended from jungle (meaning tropical forest) fowl. They love going up!