Chicken run

[Becca1223]

Hello, I have 4 chickens that are going into my neighbors yard so have to keep them in the run during the day. My husband built a 2 by 4 ft chicken run. I think it's too small. Am I right? What size should the run be for 4 average size chickens? Thank you

 

[happy duck]

I would say it is way to small! I have 4 ducks(who need more room than chickens) and mine is 10 by 15 feet. I would check out the chicken run forums to see what size could work. I built mine so I can grow in flock size. I also built mine cuz they will not be free ranging all day long. If yours are going to free range all day then are put up at night then that run is a good size! can you post a pic so we can see the size?

 

[Becca1223]

this is what it looks like

 

[happy duck]

It looks so cute and cozy!!! I would say it is the size for about 2 chickens. Could you add on?

 

[Birdsong 82]

It is a cute little coop. But does look pretty small for four chickens unfortunately. The rule of thumb minimum that is usually used is 10 ft.² per chicken for the run and 4 ft.² per chicken for the coop. Like happy duck said Is there anyway you could frame out the run part to make the coop bigger and then add a run? So you would probably need a run about 40 ft.². Like a 4 x 10 or something like that. And bigger is always better. Extra room is always good and it saves from adding more if you ever want to expand. Would it be easier for you to be able to maybe build some sort of fence between you and the neighbors? You could offer the neighbors some fresh eggs if it’s bothering them. Sometimes that warms them up. LOL

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

That's a very well done chicken run, but why didn't your husband make it bigger? Seems like you've got a few more feet of space to spare.

 

[jthornton]

Put your location in your profile so it's always there. Your climate might make a difference on the normally recommended size of 10 ft.² per chicken for a run.

JT

 

[Becca1223]

Thank you all for the responses. Hubby will not make the run bigger. I thought from the very beginning that his measurements were too small. The coop itself is measured at :47"(L) x 38"(W) x 47"(H). But the run is only i'd say 2 ft by 4 ft. I think i may have to at least at this point take out the large watering bucket and food dispenser and put smaller ones in there and just refill them daily. I have a perch and a swing that i think i'll just keep in there for them to get off the ground when they want to. There's also a stand in there for their food bucket, Ill take that out too. I feel so bad for them but hubby wont change it or buy a bigger run . If it's still too small i may have to re home two of them as it's really not fair for them to live like that....

 

[Birdsong 82]

Awwww. I hate how husbands can be so stubborn sometimes. You could be stubborn like me! When we were building the coop and I told my husband it needs to be bigger and he didn’t want to when he wasn’t around I started making a bigger myself. Maybe prove to him you can be just a stubborn too. And maybe if he sees you working on it and adding to it he’ll feel bad and come help . I’m glad you’re not selfish and would want to keep all the chickens even when they don’t have enough room to live in that makes you a very good chicken owner. And I hate to see a good chicken owner have to rehome just because of the size of the run. Do you think it would be something you’d be able to tackle?

 

[aart]

Neither the coop nor the run is big enough for 4 birds.