[Andt]

I currently have 15 hens (large fowl) in 2 medium size coops, I am looking to get a shed so that they will have more room to move around when the winter comes or the weather turns bad and they are not out as much.

I am undecided between a  6*4 or an 8*6, I also hope to pick up a few more birds next year to bring the flock up to around 20 birds.

Does anyone know how many birds I could keep in each of the above size shed, I would be looking to put the nest boxes inside the shed around 12-18" off the floor? Obviously there will be perches for the birds to roost.

Thanks

[manian]

hi
we've got 20 hens in an 8x6 shed
in winter they huddle together but they do spread out in the summer to keep cool at night -
don't think i would want any more in there
Mx

[bigchicken]

If it was me I would get as big a shed as possible better with to much room as not enough. 8 x 6 would do but I would go for even bigger as keeping chickens often grows way beyond what was first intended.

[Andt]

Thanks for your replies, I was edging more towards the 8*6 and your answers have confirmed it.

I know what you mean Bigchicken, the plan was only to have 6 hens and a cockerel when I started about 18 months ago. Since then I've added a few more.
Fortunately the birds are kept in a fenced enclosure and I would not want more than 20 birds there as I think that would be around the maximum that the area would take for the birds to have plenty of space and still keep some grass in there.

[JEP]

don't get shed to big the more room colder birds are
in winter harder to keep warm
we've got 4 sheds 2 are a 6 x 4 cut in half  it warmer not as much height
we split the chickens into breeders & layers

[bigchicken]

JEP  a shed keeps the birds out of the aliments what keeps them warm is there feathers ,I have birds that prefer to roost in a hedge at night and they are probably the best feathered hens in my flock

[manian]

don't get shed to big the more room colder birds are
in winter harder to keep warm
we've got 4 sheds 2 are a 6 x 4 cut in half  it warmer not as much height
we split the chickens into breeders & layers

have to remember summer as well, we have 8x6 shed , full height and it gets warm in winter, (last winter they didn't get cold).
for easy cleaning the full height ones are certainly easier on your back and allows air to circulate
 

[JEP]

we move birds to another shed in summer
which is 8x6 full height with approx 15 hens
winter shed is when most gone and just birds for breeding
it works well for us