How many in a 10’x16’ coop!?

[Fields]

How many chickens can fit comfortably in a 10’x16’ coop? They’ll free range around 1/4 - 1/2 acre most of the day.

I’ll only be starting out with 5 or so hens and 1 roo, but I don’t want to have to upgrade later.

Thanks!

 

[BleuSaphir]

40, but I would aim for less for more room. If you get snow, they will be confined to the coop which would stresses the chicken a lot with being confined for a long time in winter.

I worry about the cost of food too! Lol

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC.

For each adult, standard-sized hen you need:

• 4 square feet in the coop (.37 square meters)
• 10 square feet in the run (.93 square meters),
• 1 linear foot of roost (.3 meters),
• 1/4 of a nest box,
• And 1 square foot (.09) of permanent, 24/7/365 ventilation, preferably located over the birds' heads when they're sitting on the roost.

Having a huge space is excellent!

You can have a main coop section, a built-in brooder, a built-in integration/breeding pen, a built-in broody facility, and built-in storage.

It will also be easy to keep clean with poop from 5-6 hens spread over that big space.

 

[Fields]

40, but I would aim for less for more room. If you get snow, they will be confined to the coop which would stresses the chicken a lot with being confined for a long time in winter.

I worry about the cost of food too! Lol

I was thinking about 25-30 max, so hopefully that’s ok. Here in Lexington, KY the winter could be 60 degrees all season or 0 degrees with two feet of snow. We could also get that in a single day, lol. The weather here is super confused!

 

[Fields]

Welcome to BYC.

For each adult, standard-sized hen you need:

• 4 square feet in the coop (.37 square meters)
• 10 square feet in the run (.93 square meters),
• 1 linear foot of roost (.3 meters),
• 1/4 of a nest box,
• And 1 square foot (.09) of permanent, 24/7/365 ventilation, preferably located over the birds' heads when they're sitting on the roost.

Having a huge space is excellent!

You can have a main coop section, a built-in brooder, a built-in integration/breeding pen, a built-in broody facility, and built-in storage.

It will also be easy to keep clean with poop from 5-6 hens spread over that big space.

So I can have my brooder for my baby chicks inside the coop!?

 

[3KillerBs]

So I can have my brooder for my baby chicks inside the coop!?

Yes.

I haven't built a brooder in Neuchickenstein yet, but many people do because it both keeps the mess out of the house and helps with integration.

My current batch of chicks is being brooded right next to the coop -- inside the electric netting. As soon as they're off heat they're going into the coop in their own protected space.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...rst-turkey-strut-to-weaning-the-chicks.76878/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/yes-you-certainly-can-brood-chicks-outdoors.68067/

 

[aart]

So I can have my brooder for my baby chicks inside the coop!?

Yes!
Best thing in my coop design, just wish I had made it a bit bigger for easier access.
But it has a separate people door for my access and a separate run.
Great way to brood and integrate chicks.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/