Size Chicken Coop for four Chickens

[Myriam]

We built a Chicken Coop for four regular size Chicken. (we have a playmouth rock, rhode island, cochin and another one.) The measurements are on the inside (excl. 2 Nesting Boxes) 2.5 f by 3.8 f. The caged in run is 3.8 by 5.8 or almost 4 by almost 6 f. I'm kind of stressing over it being to small and wanted some feedback from chicken owners.

 

[williamson218]

Full size chickens need about 2.5 square feet each bird its always better to go bigger one thing bout chickens your flock will grow theres a number of things to do to have a fair size pen theres pvc pens wraped with a tarp just research and figure your needs and cost factorsfactors

 

[williamson218]

Check out my pen it was made with mostly free materials and cost me about 250.00

 

[Myriam]

well we already built the coop.

 

[Judy]

It's definitely on the small side. What kind of climate do you live in?

The rule of thumb for 4 chickens would be 16sf of walking space in the coop and 40 sf in the run for 4 standard birds. They only need one nest. A lot of factors can affect that, though, and chickens do live in less without a problem. In a comfortable run and temperate climate, the coop size might be fine, if they spend most of the day outdoors. If they want to stay in more during the day, say because of a lot of snow, the 16 sf might be small. Covering the run might make more area available to them. If they have some free range time, outside of the run, that also affects things. Different people find that different arrangements work well for them.

Here is a great writeup on space that another member did:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/700308/coop-and-run-size#post_9504811

 

[kacklinkelly]

We have 3 full size chickens and just built an a frame tractor that is approx 3 feet wide upstairs x 8 feet long and 5feet wide down stairs x 8 feet. Our girls seem happy and I was told I could likely add a couple more if I wanted to. from what I've read, people start out with what they think is appropriate. Then many seem to convert, add on or build another. Chickens seem to be the easiest and happiest pets we've ever had. I would say just let them enjoy their new home. Keep an eye on their behaviors and more than likely they will be just fine. I let ours out every once in a while when I can be with them just for extra running around time. Lots of ways to keep them happy. Don't stress :>

 

[Myriam]

Here are some details on our location and Coop Constructions.

We live in San Diego, California so for most of the year the weather is really good. This is the empty space we had available for the coop.

We removed the split peas to make space for coop.

We cleared the area, the dimensions are 4f wide, 8.10f long and 3.8 high. At the far side you're looking at the frame of the coop.

This is the inside of the coop

Initially we planned on building a larger nesting area but due to the tree (picture on the right) in the middle of the coop we made one "large" one.



On the picture below you see the string that is attached to the entrance for the chickens.

This is the their caged run (measurements almost 6f long/ 4 deep and 3.8 high. Our space is limited due to predators and vegetable garden right next to them.






Here is the our finished Chicken Coop. What do you think?

 

[kacklinkelly]

looks amazing! Wonderful work and color choices. I would love to sit in the yard
and look at that :>

 

[Myriam]

Thanks for your reply, and for the *don't stress part* haha I'm trying heard not to.. they do get along fine, since they all grew up together.. By now (3rd day with chickens) we open the gate and let them stroll around the coop for a bit. They are not really walking far though before hopping back in. They seem happy and make good use of the coop and run. I turn their soil once a day, hang up fresh greens that we grow etc. all in all they're busy if they're not relaxing in the coop.

 

[Myriam]

thank you, kacklinkelly, my husband and I painted it and I added some details.