Should I put another addition on or build a 2nd coop

[Bradyu123]

Hello,
I have 4 chickens currently and purchased 4 more chicks this season. I made an addition on my coop last year and it currently sits at 3x6. Attached is a picture. With the new birds coming I want to either put another addition on my current coop or build another 4x4 coop next to it. Any thoughts? Really need more roost space and height. The run is 10x10. My county limits me to 10 hens. But only plan for 8 as of now.

 

[StinkyAcres]

First of all what is your general location/climate?

I'd recommend you replace the whole thing with a larger modified shed that can give the birds at least 4 square feet of floor space per bird. That way you'll have the extra floor space, roost space, height, and much needed ventilation.

 

[Bradyu123]

First of all what is your general location/climate?

I'd recommend you replace the whole thing with a larger modified shed that can give the birds at least 4 square feet of floor space per bird. That way you'll have the extra floor space, roost space, height, and much needed ventilation.

Baltimore MD. That's an idea too. Getting into this didint realize how much I would like chickens

 

[Toothpick]

I think 8 is likely your max. Looks like an OK spot for the run but it may quickly turn to mud as they all scratch and peck around. The coop itself I think will be fine for now but probably should be thinking about something bigger for the long term. You'll be collecting more eggs, and you'll have more of a mess to take care of daily. So something you can easily access would be better for you, and ultimately the chickens.

I really think of myself first. I'm going to be in and out of the coop daily. I'm going to be cleaning. I'm going to be collecting eggs. I'm going to be changing water. Changing food. And just generally checking things out. I want it easy FOR ME. If I can make it easy for me then in turn that means more room for the chickens and happier for them as well.

 

[StinkyAcres]

The coop itself I think will be fine for now

I'm afraid the coop is not fine. Besides being too small for 8 hens, it has no ventilation whatsoever.

 

[StinkyAcres]

Baltimore MD. That's an idea too. Getting into this didint realize how much I would like chickens

We call it chicken math!

I think a shed is your best bet. You seem to be handy so the modifications should be fairly easy. Aim for 1 square foot of ventilation per bird open year round plus extra ventilation in the form of windows for the warmer months. The year round ventilation should be far above the chickens' heads to protect them from drafts in the colder months.

 

[Toothpick]

I'm afraid the coop is not fine. Besides being too small for 8 hens, it has no ventilation whatsoever.

The side in the photo with 2x4's looks like ventilation to me. Maybe that's covered with plywood by now, IDK. Just going off what I see I think it's fine for now.

 

[wrathsfarm]

My advice... Build it for 10+ hens.

Your county max's you out at 10. Chicken math says you'll have 10.... Plus give them some extra space.
So recommended is 4 sq./bird.
(40 SQ ft is your go to)
A 6 x 8 coop walk in would be 48 SQ ft. with extra space.

And your done....

 

[StinkyAcres]

My advice... Build it for 10+ hens.

Your county max's you out at 10. Chicken math says you'll have 10.... Plus give them some extra space.
So recommended is 4 sq./bird.
(40 SQ ft is your go to)
A 6 x 8 coop walk in would be 48 SQ ft. with extra space.

And your done....

Good advice. Can never have too much room. And if the chickens don't need that extra space you can turn it into a storage area.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Baltimore MD. That's an idea too. Getting into this didint realize how much I would like chickens

Yup. That's chicken math! You've got it! It can get so bad you end up buying 10 acres out in the country, and you're not careful you can end up with dogs, cats, six goats, a horse, a cow, and a pig. And you'll find yourself standing in the middle of a pasture, singing Old MacDonald and wondering, How on earth did I get here? Just remember, it was the chickens. They started it all.