Hey all and 
to the new BYC! 
So lately I've been itching to build a new coop. I've been keeping chickens since late summer/early fall of 2015 in a (approx.) 3.5 x 3.5 ft coop that has one window, a door, and two nesting boxes w/ a 7 x 4 ft. run (not including the space underneath the coop). So all in all that's 12.25 sq ft. indoors, and 38.5 sq ft. out. We've had at most five full grown hens and one bantam - all seemed to do well in that amount of space. Sadly the Mareks have swept through and the only bird left is the silkie bantam
.We are only allowed six chickens in our city, and I want to get some standard-sized online (vaccinated of coarse), and since I am wanting to build a new fresh one, I want some advice.
As ya'll probably know, there are guidelines out there that say "x amount of square feet per bird," and they vary greatly.
Preferably, I want to build a 4x4 ft. coop, and a 4x7 ft. run and of coarse there will be extra run space underneath the coop. There will be two nesting boxes, whether they be in or outside of the coop I'm not sure. We have 5 x 12 feet max space, but 4 x 11 would be preferred. If I do keep a bantam or two along with four or five standard size hens, would the above said amount of space be enough? Or should I go a bit bigger/wider? If I do need to go that, I could easily increase one side by 0.5 feet and that'd give them that much more space to chill during the day.
I don't want to overcrowd my chickens as that can result in pecking or even cannibalism, but I also want to be wise with space and don't want to over do it. Six hens. 4x4 coop. 4x7 run. Thoughts? Bigger or smaller? Tips/advice?
Thanks!
to the new BYC! So lately I've been itching to build a new coop. I've been keeping chickens since late summer/early fall of 2015 in a (approx.) 3.5 x 3.5 ft coop that has one window, a door, and two nesting boxes w/ a 7 x 4 ft. run (not including the space underneath the coop). So all in all that's 12.25 sq ft. indoors, and 38.5 sq ft. out. We've had at most five full grown hens and one bantam - all seemed to do well in that amount of space. Sadly the Mareks have swept through and the only bird left is the silkie bantam
.We are only allowed six chickens in our city, and I want to get some standard-sized online (vaccinated of coarse), and since I am wanting to build a new fresh one, I want some advice.As ya'll probably know, there are guidelines out there that say "x amount of square feet per bird," and they vary greatly.
Preferably, I want to build a 4x4 ft. coop, and a 4x7 ft. run and of coarse there will be extra run space underneath the coop. There will be two nesting boxes, whether they be in or outside of the coop I'm not sure. We have 5 x 12 feet max space, but 4 x 11 would be preferred. If I do keep a bantam or two along with four or five standard size hens, would the above said amount of space be enough? Or should I go a bit bigger/wider? If I do need to go that, I could easily increase one side by 0.5 feet and that'd give them that much more space to chill during the day.
I don't want to overcrowd my chickens as that can result in pecking or even cannibalism, but I also want to be wise with space and don't want to over do it. Six hens. 4x4 coop. 4x7 run. Thoughts? Bigger or smaller? Tips/advice?
Thanks!
