What size coop should I build to hold 14 chickens?

[bloominchicken]

Have 14 chicks. Need to build coop. Unsure of what they need for size. Does each hen require her own hutch for laying?

 

[Llysse]

No, you'd only need three nests or so. Four - 5 hens can share a nest. Each bird needs about 4 square feet of space. That would mean you'd need about 56 sq feet of coop space, or say, 8 x 7.

However, I think we all recommend here to plan for a "chicken addiction." If you want to add more chickens later, when you build your coop is the time to plan for it by building bigger than you need!

 

[Freebie]

So how many chickens can you have in a 10x20 area? That is 200 sq ft, right? So that would be 50 chickens? Did I figure that right?

 

[bloominchicken]

Thanks Llysse. Planning for additions is a great idea since I already have some breeds I would like to research for down the line. We recently moved from the city to 5 acres and had planned on getting chickens next year. However, my uncle had an Easter surprise for us.... 8 baby chicks. We just adore them. When I went to buy supplies I couldn't resit getting some more. With 4 and 2 year old boys and a 3 month old baby girls and now chicks, I have my work cut out for me. But so much FUN! Stefanie:

 

[bloominchicken]

Freebie, I can't even imagine having 50 chickens. I'd be up to my ears in eggs( among other things). But I definitly have the space for a coop that size. Stef

 

[Freebie]

Quote:
I know what you mean, I was just trying to figure if the addition was going to be enough for my baby chicks. I will have a total of 14 standard chickens and 5 bantams. And it will a be a 20x10 ft area. They don't have an outside fenced area but are allowed out to free range in the evening. Right now I have 4 standard and 5 bantams in a 10x10 ft. and the 10 babies in another place away from them.

 

[marie_martin]

I can't imagine having that many chickens in that small of a space. I know they just sleep in there but man. I have a 4X5 cocp that is 5' tall and it seems small for even the two banty chickens I have. But they stay in there, like a tractory. I move it around. I guess if you free range them or have a closed run, and they only sleep and nest in there it would work. But it does seem like a small area for that many chickens.

Marie