Enough room?

[truckerswife]

I have a tractor that is 4x4. Currently home to a Polish pullet and Sebright bantam. That is all that will be in there.

I think they have enough room, DH disagrees. Is it enough room for long time housing?

 

[Nemo]

Is that space the "coop" where they sleep, or the fenced in run?

Standard suggestions are four square-feet per bird in the coop and ten in the run.

 

[IloveTravis]

Well, each chicken has two feet of space, as long as there isn't any feeders or nesting boxes or anything taking up room in there.
As long as you let them free range now and then, I think that's fine

A little cramped, but definitely acceptable.

 

[truckerswife]

There is a second story for sleeping/nesting. In that 4x4 space is a chick feeder/waterer and the ladder to go upstairs. I havent let them free range yet since the bantam is so tiny still l and both are new ....but will. The one time I let the Polish out she just stood there as two neighborhood cats zeroed on her and were ready to pounce. She is docile and will need to be supervised in the backyard for sure.

They seem content. I move the tractor every few days.

Thanks for the advice. Greatly appreciated.

 

[Toast n Jelly]

Perhaps build them a modest run to go with the tractor?
Of course make it cat proof ......naughty cats.

 

[carousel]

a 4x4 run is 16 square feet (not 4 square feet)
so 8 square feet per chicken. If the birds get along well, I don't see a problem.

 

[TheKidAndDame]

Bantams require much less space than standards. According to VSU it is 1sf inside and 4sf outside. So your 16sf+ is sufficient. Plus, free ranging should satify their need for more exploration.

http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/poultry/factsheets/10.html

Edit: added reference

 

[Alaskan]

If it is two story then it is 4x4 plus 4x4 so 16+16 or 16 square feet per bird, which is LOTS!!!

That is,

if I understood your coop description correctly, achem.

 

[truckerswife]

Thanks everyone!!! I appreciate the input. DH and I have decided to keep them in the tractor long term but put a run for them too. So you know what we (he) will be doing this weekend. Home Depot here we come!