How many chickens in a 8x12 coop?

[Themagicone]

Hi,

I am building an 8x12 shed that I'll customize to be a coop. 6 nest boxes to start and a 2nd floor of sorts for roosting. Going to insulate it and possibly heat. As for the run, I am thinking like a 10x15 enclosed portion and 25x25+ fenced in area.

Would 25 be too many? I am going to get ducks also but will be building them their own nesting area.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

8X12=96/4=24 Max.
Rule of thumb, minimum of 4 sq. ft. per bird in the coop and 10 sq. ft. per bird in the run.
6 boxes isn't a bad idea but you'll find that they only use 3 or 4. Having extras if you end up with broody hens helps.

 

[jthornton]

Put your location in your profile for better answers.

For example if you live in the snow belt regions you would need much more covered run than if you lived south of the snow belt.

For that many I'd make 2-3 community boxes 4' wide 14" or deeper and 14" tall. I have 9 RIR hens and they use one 4' roll out nest box


JT

 

[blackdog043]

I built an 8 x 12 lean to shed/coop, with a covered 8 x 24 run. I have 18 chickens, my coop and run are open 24/7. Depending on your location/climate, you could be fine with 25. If you add your location to your profile, we might understand why your going to insulate and heat your coop. Not many people on here that live in cold climates do either. Also make sure you add plenty of ventilation. Open sofits and windows covered with hardware cloth work well. Here is how I set my inside up, a poop board runs the 12' length.

 

[aart]

Going to insulate it and possibly heat.

Neither are necessary...both have serious cons.....
But it tells me you may be in a very cold area possibly with lots of snow....
...so you may need more coop space, or fewer birds.

Welcome to BYC!
Where in this world are you located?
Climate is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, then it's always there!

 

[annaBsChick]

Here is an infographic with suggested area requirements for chickens - http://www.adoptabirdnetwork.com/topics/chicken-space-requirements

 

[aart]

Here is an infographic with suggested area requirements for chickens - http://www.adoptabirdnetwork.com/topics/chicken-space-requirements

Bare minimum for coops....run info is good tho.

 

[True Patriot]

The 4 sq ft coop and 10 sq ft run dimensions are pretty standard. If as others have surmised you live in a cold climate you may want to consider increasing. If there's a chance they could be confined due to weather the more room they have the happier they'll be. For a seasonally confined flock 6-8 sq ft I the coop may be a better option. Happy chickens fight less and tend to produce better with lack of stress. Insulation and heat aren't necessary, it's an extra expense that I recommend you do a lot of research on before committing to. Most cold injury can be tracked back to wet or damp conditions. In cold climates proper ventilation is crucial. You have to ensure that damp air can escape the coop. Hopefully some of this helps. Best of luck.

 

[snow5164]

My 8x8 coop houses 18 hens comfortably. It also depends how you design it , the dimensions I use aren’t just square footage of the coop , it’s foot print per say.I also count the other flat surfaces, where ever they can stand .

I have 5 nesting boxes on a 8 foot wall and a 2x4 roosting bar on top of those so the nesting boxes are the poop board.

In a smaller space it’s nice having wall space to add a perch or attach feeders , my grit /calcium stations are screwed to the wall.

I’d recommend insulating with foam sheets , they don’t attract the mice and keep out the elements be it heat or cold .

Have fun and remember each breed is also very different sizes , but I would be cautious about squeezing them in there, hens fighting and pecking is nasty :/

 

[aart]

My 8x8 coop houses 18 hens comfortably. It also depends how you design it , the dimensions I use aren’t just square footage of the coop , it’s foot print per say.I also count the other flat surfaces, where ever they can stand .

I have 5 nesting boxes on a 8 foot wall and a 2x4 roosting bar on top of those so the nesting boxes are the poop board.

18 birds and one 8' roost?