For instance, overcrowding typically causes chickens to fight more, meaning the birds at the bottom of the pecking order will likely have limited access to food and water and may even exhibit cuts and peck marks on their bodies. As well as being structurally sound, a coop will need nesting boxes, roosting bars, space for a feeder and waterer, and vents for air circulation. When you sketch out a plan, it’s important to include these objects so that the chickens still have the space they need. Overcrowding in a chicken coop can lead to a multitude of issues among a backyard flock. How much vertical space you’ll need will depend on your breed, as will other specifications such as door heights and the ideal indoor temperature.This is important if you keep a winter coop, too, as it gives space for the chickens inside. Between 8 and 10 square feet of room per bird is recommended for those without outdoor range space. If there is no outdoor range space available, chickens should have more room inside the coop to spread out.Separate from the indoor coop, chickens should have a “run” or outdoor space of at least 4 square feet per chicken for the outside run.We would advise at least 4 square feet for standard breeds. So, if you’re going to have 6 chickens, a 24-square-foot coop provides the right amount of space. According to the University of Georgia, most breeds of chickens require at least 3 square feet of room in a coop per bird if outdoor range space is available.At the same time, you may want your coop near a tree with a high canopy to keep your girls cool in hot weather or, you could always add a shade tarp over the run. Sunlight encourages egg-laying, so make sure the coop isn’t always in the shade. A southern exposure ensures greater warmth and sunlight. Building a coop away from large plants and lots of foliage that could shelter predators will also help to keep a backyard flock safe. Also, according to Oregon State University, it’s a wise idea to build a coop relatively close to one’s home or in a highly trafficked area of the yard in order to deter unwanted predators.
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