Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: Bruced on July 21, 2009, 12:32

Title: How many to a coop?
Post by: Bruced on July 21, 2009, 12:32

What is the recommended area per bird for a coop?

I've tried to be a good boy and use the search facility but I seem to be an idiot at it. Looking at expanding the family and want to make sure they have enough room. The coop is around 4' by 3', plus nesting boxes (2 at around 12" x 18" each) and currently houses 3 large fowl. This is the coop only, not the run! The run is around 6sqm BUT they only are in there at bedtime for around 30mins and have 60sqm fenced-off area of lawn, trees and shrubs to play in (note the absence of flowers...) so it is only coop space I am worried about. Looking to add another 2 large fowl so 5 in total.

They have 2 perches that run the short length of teh coop - 6' in total. I seem to recall 8" per bird so that seems fine.

Thanks for your help!

Title: Re: How many to a coop?
Post by: Foxy on July 21, 2009, 12:39

sounds like they have plenty of room! 3X4 would be fine for 12 birds, 1ft per bird is recommended :)

Title: Re: How many to a coop?
Post by: Bruced on July 21, 2009, 12:41

Many thanks Foxy - very helpful.

Title: Re: How many to a coop?
Post by: joyfull on July 21, 2009, 12:46

now you know that I bet you won't stop at 5 hens  :lol: :lol:

Title: Re: How many to a coop?
Post by: Bruced on July 21, 2009, 12:51

That did cross my mind, particularly now I fenced off part of the garden to make sure the baby can crawl without trundling through the inevitable!

Now I just need to figure out how / where Norah is getting over (or more probably under) the fence...

Title: Re: How many to a coop?
Post by: joyfull on July 21, 2009, 12:53

Quote from: Bruced on July 21, 2009, 12:51

That did cross my mind, particularly now I fenced off part of the garden to make sure the baby can crawl without trundling through the inevitable!

Now I just need to figure out how / where Norah is getting over (or more probably under) the fence...

Norah?? dog, cat, baby, wifie or is she a chicken  :lol:

Title: Re: How many to a coop?
Post by: Roughlee Handled on July 21, 2009, 13:10

Confiscate all spades then you should have no problems.   :wacko:

Also check flight feathers. :ohmy:

Title: Re: How many to a coop?
Post by: Bruced on July 21, 2009, 13:22

Quote from: joyfull on July 21, 2009, 12:53

Quote from: Bruced on July 21, 2009, 12:51

That did cross my mind, particularly now I fenced off part of the garden to make sure the baby can crawl without trundling through the inevitable!

Now I just need to figure out how / where Norah is getting over (or more probably under) the fence...

Norah?? dog, cat, baby, wifie or is she a chicken  :lol:

Norah  = chicken. If I say that Phoebe escaped then we have a baby problem...

Title: Re: How many to a coop?
Post by: Bruced on July 21, 2009, 13:23

Quote from: Roughlee Handled on July 21, 2009, 13:10

Confiscate all spades then you should have no problems.   :wacko:

Also check flight feathers. :ohmy:

They are clipped one wing - I will keep them under surveillane for tunnelling equipment...