Advice of Managing Free-Ranging and Adding More Hens?

[Blackberry18]

All right, so I have thirteen chickens (breeds listed in signature). My coop has 52 square feet (enough for about thirty chickens,providing each with 2-3 square feet; but they are only in it at night and when laying, mostly) while my run is about 119 square feet. So, that's about 171 square feet (70 - 80 or more chickens). Obviously, I don't want to crowd them, but am hoping to add six hens next year (Buff Brahmas and Black Australorps). I'm thinking that will be fine, but free-ranging is the problem.

I let my hens free-range every once in a while, when I can watch them (predator threats). We live in the country, with 20 acres of swamp, wood, prairie, etc, so I have to be concerned about coyotes, raccoons, weasels, possums, hawks, owls, and even bears. Their coop is right by a large prickly ash thicket full of long grass as well. Most of them will follow me, so I can keep them all in line, but it's happened once or twice when I lost track of one. I can find them, after about 15 minutes of romping around in the thicket and woods (and lots of cuts). However, I'm worried than I won't be able to keep track of them if I get more (I'll have about 19). I'd like a chicken tractor, but then I'd have to give them all separate time in one. Anyone have any advice?

 

[aart]

My advise.....If this is your first year with chickens, get thru a winter before adding to your flock.

IMO they are already at bare minimum on space in the coop and run...
...especially considering where you live, they will spend days on end in the coop during the winter.

4 sqft per bird in coop, 10 sqft per bird in run is the usual 'rule of thumb' for space for BYC.
52 sqft / 13 birds = 4sqft per bird.
119 sqft / 13 birds = 9sqft per bird.
Coop and run space should be calculated separately, not together.
Not sure where you're getting 30 birds in that, let alone 70-80...you need to check your math.

For ranging you might consider using some portable poultry netting...goggle Premiere 1.

 

[Blackberry18]

My advise.....If this is your first year with chickens, get thru a winter before adding to your flock.

IMO they are already at bare minimum on space in the coop and run...
...especially considering where you live, they will spend days on end in the coop during the winter.

4 sqft per bird in coop, 10 sqft per bird in run is the usual 'rule of thumb' for space for BYC.
52 sqft / 13 birds = 4sqft per bird.
119 sqft / 13 birds = 9sqft per bird.
Coop and run space should be calculated separately, not together.
Not sure where you're getting 30 birds in that, let alone 70-80...you need to check your math.

For ranging you might consider using some portable poultry netting...goggle Premiere 1.

Thanks a lot! I had a feeling I had my math wrong. This is my sixth year with chickens, but there's always more to learn. Do you think it's possible to add six more chickens, or would that be too crowded, according to my calculations?

 

[eviemethugh]

Hmmm I wouldn't add anymore chickens unless you do have a plan to add portable electric fence or something to give them more time to explore. Try free ranging right before bedtime, they will come pretty close to putting themselves up so you don't have to search.

 

[Blackberry18]

Hmmm I wouldn't add anymore chickens unless you do have a plan to add portable electric fence or something to give them more time to explore. Try free ranging right before bedtime, they will come pretty close to putting themselves up so you don't have to search.

Thanks! I'll try that. I really do need to add more hens, as my brown egg layers are slowing down so I need more.