I can't speak about Bielefelders, but in general, the activity level of the bird is very important, so is personality. For example, I had andalusians, about 4.5 lbs per hen. They needed a lot of space because they're not super nice to each other and a bit nervous, and like to roam. I had amberlinks that were about the same size as the andalusians, and they were so calm you could put them in a smaller space than the andalusians.
My coop with attached run is 8' x 4' for the tall walk in coop, and 8' x 16' for the attached run. There are 5 hen's and a rooster in it, plus 6 pullet's and a cockerel in it also right now. They like to roost on top of the wire dog crate's that I have in the run, so I had to lay board's over the top of them. I have attached some hardware cloth to the sides of one of the dog crate's and use that one for my chick grow-out pen. The other dog crate is in there to either hold a naughty bird or to use as a broody breaker pen.
I agree with you. Sometimes it depends on what breed that you have as to how friendly that they can be to each other. Mine are all getting along, and the adult's aren't being merciless to the younger ones in there with them. 2 of the pullet's should start laying egg's next month, but 4 pullet's won't start until in April. The cockerel in there with them is the same age as the last group of pullet's that I mentioned.
I agree with springvalley, it really does depend on the activity level of the birds. I think the things you do enrich their environment also play a role. Things to jump on, stuff to scratch around in, etc are important. A wide open space with nothing to distract can be as bad a small space.
I haven't gotten a single egg from any of my 3 Easter Eggers for over a week now.
Excellent! I've got 4 out of 5 laying, just the legbar/ee slacker now.
Nice! I shared and am going to have to make some deviled eggs tomorrow. We got out of the habit of eating them when we weren’t getting any!
