Good morning everyone! 
I was hoping to generate some discussion on which (full-size) chickens breeds you've found to do best in confinement. I'll define "confinement" as being enclosed to the minimum of 10 sqft/bird in the run with limited to no free-range access. I imagine this would include breeds that do well in wintertime confinement, and most importantly get along well with others. I've seen only a handful of breeds on the "Do Not Confine" list, with Ameraucanas being the standout. Does this suggest that most chickens will tolerate confinement equally? I see mention of docile breeds, but not any specifics.
For the record, I don't love the 10 sqft guideline. I find it insufficient for fitting enrichment activities into the run (unless you have a large number of chickens, I suppose). I've been managing with 25-35/bird, which feels like a good compromise when there's restrictions on build space. I have limited experience with different breeds, but I'll rate the ones I have.
Black Australorp - 7.5/10
- They're very gentle with other birds, and spend most of their time happily engaged with the different stations in the run (roost, sand box, dig box, plants, etc.). Unfortunately, I have caught a small amount of pacing and generalized anxiety. I can tell they'd love to get out and trash/explore the property (sorry girls, I'm working on it for next year
).
Golden Comet/Cinnamon Queen - 10/10
- My rating is contingent on only housing them with others of their kind. One Comet is sweet as pie with the Australorps; the other needed to be rehomed. Besides that incident, they are happy as clams. I don't know if this is because they come from production stock or what.
Hoping others will chime in with their experience.
I was hoping to generate some discussion on which (full-size) chickens breeds you've found to do best in confinement. I'll define "confinement" as being enclosed to the minimum of 10 sqft/bird in the run with limited to no free-range access. I imagine this would include breeds that do well in wintertime confinement, and most importantly get along well with others. I've seen only a handful of breeds on the "Do Not Confine" list, with Ameraucanas being the standout. Does this suggest that most chickens will tolerate confinement equally? I see mention of docile breeds, but not any specifics.
For the record, I don't love the 10 sqft guideline. I find it insufficient for fitting enrichment activities into the run (unless you have a large number of chickens, I suppose). I've been managing with 25-35/bird, which feels like a good compromise when there's restrictions on build space. I have limited experience with different breeds, but I'll rate the ones I have.
Black Australorp - 7.5/10
- They're very gentle with other birds, and spend most of their time happily engaged with the different stations in the run (roost, sand box, dig box, plants, etc.). Unfortunately, I have caught a small amount of pacing and generalized anxiety. I can tell they'd love to get out and trash/explore the property (sorry girls, I'm working on it for next year
).Golden Comet/Cinnamon Queen - 10/10
- My rating is contingent on only housing them with others of their kind. One Comet is sweet as pie with the Australorps; the other needed to be rehomed. Besides that incident, they are happy as clams. I don't know if this is because they come from production stock or what.
Hoping others will chime in with their experience.
I suppose you have to survive somehow.
