Exercise Requirements for 2 Buff Orpingtons?

[Duckdown]

Hi there,

Can anyone give me advice on what is the exercise requirement for my Buff Orpingtons? I'm worried, with current work commitments, that they might not be getting what they need - but what they need I'm not entirely sure.

They are in their run (approx 2 x 8) through the day and then free roam of an evening when we're home. Lately this has been getting harder though and with daylight savings ending this coming weekend it will be dark when we get home....

Want to do the right thing by them so if someone knows I'd be grateful for the advice.

Cheers.

 

[Wisher1000]

Generally speaking, minimum space is 10 square feet outside and 4 square feet inside per bird. Minimum. You have 8 per bird now but didn't mention any inside. You could probably make do with that if you let them out to range everyday, but if you can't you may want to look into expanding some. As long as you're expanding, why not make room for a few more hens? lol Good luck and

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Quote:
we just sprang forward giving a later sunrise but more daylight into the evening, hopefully this helps you some with evening free range time.

 

[Duckdown]

Thanks for your responses. Grateful for the advice

 

[duckyfromoz]

lol... Things are different here in Australia arent they Duckdown??? I am not looking forward to the end of daylight savings- I just got a promotion at work meaning my hours changed to later than I used to work- and now I loose another hour of daylight from my evenings. I still have young ducks spending days in the shed- so I get my daughter to let them out for some exercise when she gets home from school. Lucky I work close to home ( 7 klms ) and can also come home at lunch time in winter when the cold weather hits to let them all out of the shed. It will be too cold for them in the mornings. So at least they will still get some time outside. but at least on weeekends they will be out all day.

I also take it that when you said 2 x 8 you meant metres???

 

[Duckdown]

Thanks DuckyFromOz. Yes, we are lucky to have things different here

I did mean metres. I think I'm going to be doing a lot of evening torch light strolls around the backyard to give them the exercise they need. I unfortunately don't work so close to home.

Thanks for your post. And happy end of daylight savings

Cheers.