Look, I had a 5 x 7 and roosted over 100 grown chickens for a long time---- I now got a 6x7" and roost 75 with out any Problems---have had 90 in it with more roosting room left. I roost 5 adults in each of about 20---- 55 gallon barrel cut out --laying on their side---what are they 38" x 26" maybe. I have roosted 8 in a medium size plastic type dog houses for a long time. I got several of these that are closed in on the back and 2 sides They are 3 1/2 feet x 7ft and I have 50 to 60 adults---in them at times.
I do not worry about what the recommended sqft for each chicken is or who wrote the book. I make sure they are ok, not to crowded and if a man says I can not put them in there---I don't pay those words any attention. Picture this----I got a 6x7=42sqft 42 divided by 3 =14---so I can roost maybe 14 or 16 in this coop, Now think about it---if I put 20 in it they pretty much all roost on the top roost pole----I got 5 more roost poles, but I SHOULD NOT put more than 15 or so in the whole coop-----LOL. All My coops just like yours NC is for roosting only---they eat outside mine, nesting boxes are outside we rarely see snow and they are rarely ever inside during the day. I am Good!! If they were going to Live it it 24/7----that's a different story! They don't and will never.
And there ya have it - those are for roosting only. I'm in MN. My chickens spend the better part of 4 months a year in the coop because of snow and cold. My feeders and waterers are in the coop. My nest boxes are in the coop. If I tried to cram as many chickens together as you do, they'd kill each other, or end up being very sick birds.
And there ya have it - those are for roosting only. I'm in MN. My chickens spend the better part of 4 months a year in the coop because of snow and cold. My feeders and waterers are in the coop. My nest boxes are in the coop. If I tried to cram as many chickens together as you do, they'd kill each other, or end up being very sick birds.
That's why I said roosting only. I been raising chickens for close 60 years----and have never had a problem with app 1/2 sq foot floor space per chicken---with step roost. But I do not live where mine stay inside for months. SO I Feel before people jump on a person's set-up that they should find out where they live and how their coop is going to be used Before trying to tell everyone they Got to have several feet per chicken---you probably need that, I don't. Enjoy your Chickens.
