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- Thread starterAmityChick
- Start dateMay 13, 2020
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- May 13, 2020
- #1
A
AmityChick
In the Brooder
- May 8, 2020
- 12
- 16
- 46
- New Brunswick, Canada
So I haven't even gotten my chickens yet and the chicken math has already started! I originally was going to have two barred rock pullets and two ameraucana pullets but the farm I've ordered from had some delays and now I'm getting 8 barred rock chicks in July and two ameraucana pullets in the fall! I'm planning though in case all 8 chicks somehow turn out to be hens (unlikely but better to plan ahead right?) and also I think the max flock size I would keep at this point is 12. We have a large property in New Brunswick Canada so some free ranging is an option, but we have a lot of predators so I would rather they be in the run since any free range will probably be only supervised. So I'm wondering how big I should build it? the coop is going to be 7' x 8' (wonky size because we decided to actually build it in our barn) and then they'll have access to their outdoor run and I'm not sure how big I should make it? Original plan for the run was for 6 'x 10' and it will be roofed (shingled) and covered in 1/2" hardware cloth with a 2 foot predator apron
- May 13, 2020
- #2
Kgbao
Songster
- Mar 31, 2020
- 727
- 2,725
- 226
- West Georgia
Always plan a little bigger you never know what might happen down the road.
Run size chicken math is pretty easy, to keep them happy and comfortable use the 10sq foot per bird rule (at the minimum), if you can go bigger even better. So if you want to keep a max of 12 hens, 120sq foot or 10x12 run would be ideal.
- May 13, 2020
- #3
Kgbao
Songster
- Mar 31, 2020
- 727
- 2,725
- 226
- West Georgia
If it helps, since I see your north of the border 
11.20 square meters
3.1m x 3.7m
- May 13, 2020
- #4
ShrekDawg
You are loved.
Premium Feather Member
16 Years
- Jan 18, 2008
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I would definitely build it bigger. Especially if you plan on keeping them confined most of the time or plan on adding more birds later on. I’ve added new birds several times and there was always a lot more bickering going on when in the smaller run and coop. It was a little better when they were free ranging but I still plan to expand because it’s still a little small for them. And especially being in Canada where I assume you have long harsh winters and they might be locked up for a while, I would build it as big as you possibly can.
Your coop should be good for the amount of birds you want to add (it’s generally recommended to have at least 4 sq ft per bird inside) but I would definitely consider expanding the run if at all possible.
The recommendation for the run is usually 10 square feet per bird and I might even make it a little bit bigger if they are going to be in it a lot.
Barred Rocks are great birds, I’ve had a couple, but they definitely like their personal space haha
- May 13, 2020
- #5
Mamatomany123
Crowing
- Mar 14, 2020
- 4,377
- 6,412
- 426
- West texas
Good rule of thumb to follow is at minimum 4st ft per bird in the coop and 10 sq ft per bird in the run. Your coop size sounds ok. Your run size is too small.
- May 13, 2020
- #6
aart
Chicken Juggler!
Premium Feather Member
12 Years
- Nov 27, 2012
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- SW Michigan
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Keep in mind that integrating new birds into a flock works best with extra space.
Double the minimum coop size if your run is not going to be weather and predator proof for winter.
- May 14, 2020
- Thread starter
- #7
A
AmityChick
In the Brooder
- May 8, 2020
- 12
- 16
- 46
- New Brunswick, Canada
Thanks for all the advice! I’m now building a 10’x12’ run 
- May 15, 2020
- Thread starter
- #8
A
AmityChick
In the Brooder
- May 8, 2020
- 12
- 16
- 46
- New Brunswick, Canada
This is maybe a silly question, so my coop is going to be in the barn and will have windows on 3 of its walls that are covered in hardware cloth. Do I need to make covers for those windows? Because I've read on here that ventilation is important in the winter but to prevent drafts in the coop. Since the coop is going to be in the barn there will be no drafts so can I leave the windows uncovered as well? I mean like a shutter that can be placed over the hardware cloth opening of the window. Just realized since the coop is inside I probably don't need a cover/shutter?
- May 15, 2020
- #9
ShrekDawg
You are loved.
Premium Feather Member
16 Years
- Jan 18, 2008
- 114,841
- 424,149
- 2,066
- SE Massachusetts
AmityChick said:
This is maybe a silly question, so my coop is going to be in the barn and will have windows on 3 of its walls that are covered in hardware cloth. Do I need to make covers for those windows? Because I've read on here that ventilation is important in the winter but to prevent drafts in the coop. Since the coop is going to be in the barn there will be no drafts so can I leave the windows uncovered as well? I mean like a shutter that can be placed over the hardware cloth opening of the window. Just realized since the coop is inside I probably don't need a cover/shutter?
As long as the roosts are I think it was 18 inches above or below the windows and not directly in front of them, it should be fine. I usually leave my windows open. I would try to put the roosts as far away from the windows as possible though but in a coop that big, I don’t think there’d be much air movement inside the actual coop.
- May 15, 2020
- #10
rosemarythyme
Scarborough Fair
8 Years
- Jul 3, 2016
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AmityChick said:
Since the coop is going to be in the barn there will be no drafts so can I leave the windows uncovered as well? I mean like a shutter that can be placed over the hardware cloth opening of the window. Just realized since the coop is inside I probably don't need a cover/shutter?
I'd leave them uncovered since the barn should provide all the weather protection you'd need.
