Size of Breeding Pens

[Big Tom]

When designing a breeding pen do you still use the 4 square feet per bird or does the square footage need to increase. These pens would be for large breed birds (Barred Rocks, Rhode Island Reds, Australorps). I'm thinking about 48 square feet for 10 hens and a rooster. What do you think?

 

[archeryrob]

I personally think you should reduce the amount of hens to 3 or 4. We hatched eggs out of our normal coop and had a lot of duds.

I am re-building a free rabbit hutch I got that is 3x4 and just using it for 3 hens and Rooster and will have a 9' x 12' run

 

[aart]

When designing a breeding pen do you still use the 4 square feet per bird or does the square footage need to increase. These pens would be for large breed birds (Barred Rocks, Rhode Island Reds, Australorps). I'm thinking about 48 square feet for 10 hens and a rooster. What do you think?

Will they just be pens...or coops and runs?
How long will you keep the groups in the pens?
The 4/10 rule of thumb is a bare minimum IMO.

Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
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[Big Tom]

Will they just be pens...or coops and runs?
How long will you keep the groups in the pens?
The 4/10 rule of thumb is a bare minimum IMO.

Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!
View attachment 1996385

I'm not sure how long I will keep them in breeding pens. I guess as long as I want to keep hatching eggs from them. I think at this time that would be until some time in the spring.

I'm in Western Pennsylvania. They will not have a run but will be turned out every third day. I'm planning on 3 breeding pens, so I will alternate days the different pens of birds will go out.

Thanks for the info on how to update my profile!

 

[aart]

I'm planning on 3 breeding pens, so I will alternate days the different pens of birds will go out.

So the 'pens' are actually coops, completely enclosed to be secure from weather and predators?

If they are going to be confined 24/7 except for ranging every few days, you'll want to make them larger than the typical coop.

 

[123RedBeard]

What do you think?

Well ... I think you gotta go alot bigger ... like 10' X 16' ... since there are gonna be cooped up in there most of the time ... plus water and food ...

 

[Big Tom]

So the 'pens' are actually coops, completely enclosed to be secure from weather and predators?

If they are going to be confined 24/7 except for ranging every few days, you'll want to make them larger than the typical coop.

Yes they will be protected from predators and weather.

 

[Big Tom]

Well ... I think you gotta go alot bigger ... like 10' X 16' ... since there are gonna be cooped up in there most of the time ... plus water and food ...

So you are suggesting almost 15 square feet per bird?

And of course there will be food and water as well as grit, calcium, nest boxes, roosting bars and lights on timers.

 

[123RedBeard]

Yes, atleast ...

My point of food and water was that they also take up space, and the more birds, the more capacity is needed for those things ...

 

[chickens really]

I asked my Pal and his are 8X20 runs with a small Coop/Box for hens to lay in. 3 Hens per Rooster or two Hens per Rooster is what he does.