Chicken run question

[anniemary]

I've noticed that some runs are tall enough for a person to walk in, and some runs are lower to the ground--about 3 or 4 feet tall.

What are the pros and cons of each? Or doesn't it matter?

We are in the process of turning this shed into a coop. There is a window on the left side where I want to put the run. (There is a perinial garden on the right side and the well pump is in the way).

I don't know if I should enclose the window in the run or build the run under the window in which case it would be about 4 ft. high.

I'm hoping to have about 25 chickens. We think the shed is 8' by 6'. Would 25 chickens be ok in here?

Also, there are hostas growing under the window that would be in the run. Should I remove those?

Thanks!

 

[Mojo Chick'n]

I guess the biggest Q is "are you going to have to enter the run for any reason?"

If you have a shorter (height) run you'll have a harder time going in after an errant chicken (or a sick one, God forbid).

If you're short to begin with, that won't be as bad, however, as if you were 6 foot tall

Otherwise, a low run probably wouldn't be a problem.

eta - you can enclose the window in the run - no biggie. The cost of materials for a taller run would be more.

Not sure on the Hostas (poisonous or not) but they will probably destroy them.

eta yet again

if they are large breeds (heavy chickens) you could just put in a fence - instead of a run, and they most likely will not fly out. This wouldn't be predator proof, however, but even a run is not totally predator proof.


meri

 

[Judy]

According to this site, hostas are not poisonous to chickens:

http://www.poultryhelp.com/toxic1.html

If I were going to have a short covered run, I would build the top on hinges.

 

[lunkerchicken]

My personal preference is a run tall enough to stand in - it just makes it easier to clean and to mingle with the girls. I do agree though, if I went with a smaller run, I would have hinged doors on the top for access.
As far as the number of chickens, the general rule of thumb is 4 square feet inside the coop, 10 square feet outside in the run per chicken. That of course will vary slightly with different set ups.
Hope that helps.

 

[patandchickens]

If you're going to have 25 chickens, the run will have to be so big that having it *not* be walk-in height would be a major, major pain in the neck (and the lower back, and the knees, and the hands from opening and closing all the access hatches you'd need to have). So for that size, specifically, I would heavily suggest springing for tall enough for you to walk around in.

(For smaller runs with fewer chickens, it's more of a tossup, IMO)

Hostas are edible by people and everything else I know of, they should be FINE for chickens

However they will not last long so you might want to relocate them for their own safety (even if you don't want to replant them, a neighbor might want them)

That is a very nice looking little building! It should make a great coop. You will need to add ventilation, especially ventilation that will be useable in the wintertime.

Is it really only 6x8? Doors are usually 6' high, so unless that is an unusual munchkinlike door I'd guess you've got 6 or 8' by 10 or 12'. If the coop were only 6x8, that is awful tight for 25 chickens especially somewhere that gets actual winter (which I am guessing you do, from the trees). Depending on what your winters are like, how windy the site is, and whether you will be roofing any of your run, you would want at least 4 sq ft per chicken inside the coop, which for 25 chickens would mean something on the order of 6x10 or more. (Which, as I say, I suspect you may actually have). More space, and/or fewer chickens, is always better though.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[RendonRoo]

I agree with Pat. My coop is 6x8 and it was real crowded with 17 birds. Thank goodness 6 were roosters and are now in the freezer. The 11 chicks i kept are much more comfy and definately less stressed. Good Luck

 

[Pine Acres Peeps]

Hi,
I would make it tall enough to walk in. A long time ago I had a short one and had to crawl in and out, it gets old quick. Someday for some reason you'll be glad it was tall. On the other hand 5 feets taller than me!!

P.S. Love your coop to be!