Chook Me!

How much room per chicken?

We're building a chicken coop that is 6 feet long, 4 feet wide, and 3 feet high. The coop will have an opening for the chickens to go outside all day, so they will pretty much just be locked in the coop at night. The outside area is going to be using about 150 feet of fencing, so we will probably have it 37 feet by 37 feet, or about 1300 square feet. We are wanting to get standard sized laying hens. What is a good number to get? Thanks

Public Comments

1. 4 square feet if you're not going to let them out and keep them in a high density situation. About half that if you're going to let them out in the daytime. But remember, they'll all be inside during bad weather, so 4 feet is still a good plan.
2. i would not put in more than 30, that is a very small space. it will need cleaning daily, and you might think of getting reds they lay large eggs and don't need much room or food remember if you get to many they will not go in at night.
3. a little
4. Honestly, if u double layer the roosting, thats enough room for about ten hens. They are very good at free-roaming, and staying close to home. I wouldn't make an outside coop at all.