I have already questioned this quesiton but NOBODY gave me a specific answer. I need to know how many hens (chickens) can fit in this coop comfortably at night, just to stay in at night. They are full size hens, like barred rocks, wyandottes, welsummers, araucanas, sussex, and buff Orpington. The coop size is 5′ (60") wide at the nesting boxes, 4′-7" (55") tall, and 7′-2" (86") deep. There is a total of 12 nesting boxes. Here is a picture, but the coop that I am talking about is longer and has more nesting boxes, but It will give you an thought of what it looks like. Also I am going to add panels on the front s othey dont get cold at night and the bottom of the coop won’t be the mesh, just plywood. what size do you reckon my run should be? I want them to have as much room as possible but if you have 6-12 chickens what size is your run? thanks!!!! 10 points to best answer!!
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I have a coop that is about 12 wide, 10 deep, and about 6 feet high at it’s shortest (roof slants). Right now I have 30 +/- (haven’t counted lately) birds that roost in there. Their roosting area isn’t perfect yet, but if I place new roosts in with the height it has I could get more birds in it. My birds also have a yard that is oh about 30 x20 feet so I can confine them when I want to. Nearly every day they are allowed out to roam where they want.
So, if it’s just a roosting area and the birds will be allowed to free range or will have a large yard, you could probably house 12 birds comfortably.
Hmmm..the less the better but I would say 8.
Since you are dealing with a sleeping area, I would say 1.5 ft per bird roosting, and at least 2 sq feet on the ground. Also, get rid of those nesting boxes if possible, they are a waste of space. You only need 1 nesting box for 5 five birds, so in your case you would only probably want 2-3 nesting boxes, not 12.
Also, space your roost, as far as possible from your nesting area, as birds do not like to lay eggs where they sleep/poop. Birds are most comfortable roosting, but do not have to roost. You can have them sleep lying down, which will conserve space. But, your birds will be sleeping in their poop.
You mention that your coop is five foot wide, but you do not mention its length? Without that I can’t give you a proper amount.
As for the run…they say 2 sq feet per bird, but with standard expect feather picking in those conditions. Always give as much space as possible. I have comfortably kept 5 standard hens in a 10ft wide, 10ft long, dog kennel, but wouldn’t really push more than that, if the birds were constantly living in that cage.
Excellent luck,
Jamie/Rhode Runner
Hi.
My friend has chickens in her back yard in a coop similar to yours. She keeps 12 chickens(RI Reds) in the house. They really do not need a lot of room in the house and I have heard many say 2-3 cubic foot per chicken. Can you question the people where you got the coop, or go to the feed store in your area?
My friend’s run is about 12 feet by 5 feet and the chickens are very healthy and pleased. The run should allow 4-5 cubic feet per bird. I would give them a bit more room in the run just to roam. If it gets cold, consider a heat source . If you have electricity to run to the coop, a simple light would be nice-make sure it’s not just the bulb, they like to peck glass. Also, consider covering the plywood with linoleum to keep the bacteria down and make clean up a bit simpler.
Have fun and excellent luck.