Is a 4' by 6' coop big enough for 7 chickens? How much run space will they need?

[Scooter&Suzie]

I'm working on finding a bigger coop for my ladies. I have four standard size hens and three silkies. I normally find coops that are 4' by 6', and was wondering it that is big enough. If I am going to get them another coop and run, I want to do it right. Also, anyone know what would be a good size for the run? I want my hens to have plenty of room to run around.

 

[20736]

Generally, 2.5 square feet per bird is recommended. So 6 x 4 = 24; up to 9-10 birds OK.

 

[lahowardjr]

Make sure you have enough roost space in the coop for the chickens to be comfortable at night. That's another key issue that needs to be considered.

 

[TheCrazyChick]

You should be fine if you have plenty of roost space. Run space should be 5-10 square feet per bird. The more the better of course. I just added more roost space today and they are having a ball trying to figure it out. I originally had a low and high bar, both 5.5 feet. I now have a high bar 5.5 feet, an even higher 4 feet, and a 18 inch wide, ladder with 3 or 4 rungs. The favorite spot is the HIGHER one. They look so happy!

 

[Scooter&Suzie]

Make sure you have enough roost space in the coop for the chickens to be comfortable at night. That's another key issue that needs to be considered.

You should be fine if you have plenty of roost space. Run space should be 5-10 square feet per bird. The more the better of course. I just added more roost space today and they are having a ball trying to figure it out. I originally had a low and high bar, both 5.5 feet. I now have a high bar 5.5 feet, an even higher 4 feet, and a 18 inch wide, ladder with 3 or 4 rungs. The favorite spot is the HIGHER one. They look so happy!

So about 10 inches of roost space per chicken, then? My silkies prefer not to roost, so maybe I will let the four standard sizes have the roost and build a box for the silkies to cuddling in, along with a lower roosting bar for them to try to hop up on, just in case.