Length of roost bar & nest box size

[cktap62]

Hello, We are fixing up a 6x6 resin shed to use as a coop. Planning a roost bar along the back wall with poop shelf below and nest boxes below that. We have 7 chicks of all kinds, black astrolorpe, buff Orpington, barred rock, prairie bluebell egger, olive egger, cream legbar, and I can’t remember the last one, maybe lav Orpington. Is one 6 foot roost bar long enough for 7 chickens? What size nest boxes do we need for these breeds, I was thinking just 2, is that enough? Thanks for your advice!

 

[nuthatched]

Do an L shapes bar. 2 nest boxes is plenty but make sure they're big enough for the chicken to stand in.
Don't skimp on ventilation, a plastic shed will get hot.

 

[Ted Brown]

The common advice for roost space is 1' per bird. 6' for 7 birds is ~85% of the recommendation. My guess is that it will work but chickens do have their own opinions so be prepared to downsize your flock if crowding issues arise.

I have 7' of nest space which translates to 12" x 12" x 18"H for each one (hens stand to lay their eggs); however,several of my hens will forgo using the nests and crawl under the nest boxes to lay with less than 10" of height. Two nests of 12"x12"x16" size should work for 7 hens.

Good luck.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Most likely the roost will be long enough (I have 10 birds shoving themselves on 5.5').

Nest boxes, 2 should be enough but if you have space for 3, I'd do 3 myself. You're kinda right on the line of 2 not being enough, potentially.