When you say X sq ft per bird...

[Lel's Lil Acre]

Does X sq ft per bird mean floor space? Does having multiple staggered roost bars count or does only the floor space count? My shed is 4x6 which is 24 sq feet so does that mean at 3 sq feet per bird I should only keep 7 fluffy butts? Or does having vertical space count as well? Will be my first time with chickens and I don't want to crowd them, but would like to keep 10 Easter Eggers. Thanks in advance!

P.S. they are also going to have a 10x20 covered run.

 

[Pyxis]

The rule of thumb is 4 square feet per bird of floor space, so your coop would fit six birds. Definitely not ten, especially if you're in an area that has winters that aren't mild.

Roost space is its own separate thing - you want about 8" of roost space per bird.

 

[sawilliams]

The rule of thumb is 4 square feet per bird of floor space, so your coop would fit six birds. Definitely not ten, especially if you're in an area that has winters that aren't mild.

Roost space is its own separate thing - you want about 8" of roost space per bird.

What she said ⬆.

I can keep more chickens in my coop then the 4ft per bird suggested becuase even on the worst days in our area my flock never has to stay in the coop all day of more then a few hours during the day at a time. If there is even a chance your birds will have to remain cooped-in for any longer then a day due to weather you need to account for thier total space needs. Exstending your coop with some sort of cover and wind blocks into the run can increase your overall space but only counts if they will be able to use the space all season

 

[Egghead_Jr]

How you manage your birds makes a big difference on required coop space. If a person coops birds for extended periods of time 4 sqft is pretty small. If you manage birds where they get run space everyday having 4 sqft per bird is wasted space.

To utilize the run in winter use plastic or tarps to cover two sides of run for wind break and of course you've the coop for third wind break. We toss down hay in that shelter area in winter too. We don't put water or feed in the coop. Birds come out everyday. Sure there are a handful of brutal winter days the birds huddle mornings in coop, those days I toss handfuls of sunflower seed in coop when opening in morning to hold them over until they come out. -20F mornings is when nothing is moving about and normal for the birds to huddle until late morning. No wildlife is moving and even your car doesn't want to get going either.

 

[Lel's Lil Acre]

How you manage your birds makes a big difference on required coop space. If a person coops birds for extended periods of time 4 sqft is pretty small. If you manage birds where they get run space everyday having 4 sqft per bird is wasted space.

To utilize the run in winter use plastic or tarps to cover two sides of run for wind break and of course you've the coop for third wind break. We toss down hay in that shelter area in winter too. We don't put water or feed in the coop. Birds come out everyday. Sure there are a handful of brutal winter days the birds huddle mornings in coop, those days I toss handfuls of sunflower seed in coop when opening in morning to hold them over until they come out. -20F mornings is when nothing is moving about and normal for the birds to huddle until late morning. No wildlife is moving and even your car doesn't want to get going either.

Thank you, this is how I plan to keep them exactly!

 

[sawilliams]

One idea is start small, with your flock that is. My first coop was also a 4x6 with 6 chickens pet space recommendations and city ordinance (fortunately my neighbors didn't mind the extra chickens later on) we already knew per our weather coop space wouldn't be as much an issue add run space and time management.
But getting through that first winter was the deciding factor in just how much space the hens needed. For us besides the occastional down pour the girls stay outside all day except to eat and lay eggs. So even with the rain an etxra open covered space (about 2x4 at the time) was all the girls needed if they didn't want to be in the coop during the rain.

Once you get a feel for how your girl will handle the weather you can consider adding more chickens or more protected run area to prevent space tensons with in the flock. But more coop space is always better the first time around

 

[Pyxis]

One idea is start small, with your flock that is. My first coop was also a 4x6 with 6 chickens pet space recommendations and city ordinance (fortunately my neighbors didn't mind the extra chickens later on) we already knew per our weather coop space wouldn't be as much an issue add run space and time management.
But getting through that first winter was the deciding factor in just how much space the hens needed. For us besides the occastional down pour the girls stay outside all day except to eat and lay eggs. So even with the rain an etxra open covered space (about 2x4 at the time) was all the girls needed if they didn't want to be in the coop during the rain.

Once you get a feel for how your girl will handle the weather you can consider adding more chickens or more protected run area to prevent space tensons with in the flock. But more coop space is always better the first time around

X2. My birds could go out all day in winter too if they wanted to, but they don't. Their feed and water aren't in the coop, so they do have to venture out for that, but then they go right back in. I keep the run clear of snow for them, and it doesn't matter. They prefer being inside the coop where it's a little warmer and they don't have to stand on snow (because no matter how well you snow blow, you're not going to get all the snow up down to the dirt).

 

[aart]

X2. My birds could go out all day in winter too if they wanted to, but they don't. Their feed and water aren't in the coop, so they do have to venture out for that, but then they go right back in. I keep the run clear of snow for them, and it doesn't matter. They prefer being inside the coop where it's a little warmer and they don't have to stand on snow (because no matter how well you snow blow, you're not going to get all the snow up down to the dirt).

Ditto Dat^^^

I keep feed/water inside, but I use winter lighting so they are up an eating way before the sun comes up. I too shovel part of run, and part is clear, covered, and wind proofed but there are days on end they never come out at all even tho they could.

This is a great article on Space by Ridgerunner:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-much-room-do-chickens-need

 

[Lonesome Dough]

4sf per bird with a 9x19 coop=42 birds, I don't think so. it's just the wife and i so i think 12-15 maybe 20 if we go big, those birds will think they are living in the White House. Add in the 8x16 outside run and you've got hog heaven or chicken heaven.