Expanding coop—is wider or longer better?

[Echidne41]

Hello! I have a quick (I think) question. I have materials to double the size of my run—but I could make it longer (like a long rectangle), or wider (like a big square). Which do you think the chickens would rather?

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! Longer will make it easier to roof or cover, which is a good thing to do. Also easier to set up play spaces, tree branches, a covered space, and to shade with plantings outside.
What dimensions are you considering?
Mary

 

[Alaskan]

A rectangle would make it easier to roof (and a roofed run is a wonderful thing).

However, a square run gives you much more square footage than a rectangle... if we are talking about using the same amount of fence.

More square footage is better


So.... go square.

 

[Folly's place]

How does that work? The same length of fencing gives the same sized run regardless, right?
Mary

 

[Alaskan]

nope.

If you have 20 feet of fencing, and you make it a rectangle. .. say 2 x8, then 2x8 = 16 square feet of run.

If you take that 20 feet of fencing and make a square, so 5x5 then you get 5x5 =25 square feet of run.

still 20 feet of fencing used. But 16 square feet of space verses 25 square feet of space.

 

[Echidne41]

Oh, wow, math. Is it a bad thing if part of the run is roofed, and part is covered with hardware cloth? I should say, the run is mostly shaded, and the girls seem to seek out the sun when they’re resting. Thanks for your advice, btw

 

[April’s Zoo]

Oh, wow, math. Is it a bad thing if part of the run is roofed, and part is covered with hardware cloth? I should say, the run is mostly shaded, and the girls seem to seek out the sun when they’re resting. Thanks for your advice, btw

Answered your own question there...
as long as the hardware cloth is secured well with enough overlap on the edges so that no predators can sneak between it and the frame, then I’d say go for it. Decide how much natural shade is available, vs. how much of the area you want to be sheltered by the roof. That will help you decide how large your roof should be.

Happy building— have fun creating your new run.

Btw, I’m not very good with math either apparently....
I thought the same thing you did— that a rectangle and a square with the same perimeter would have the same sq. footage. Good thing Alaskan was quick with the examples.

 

[aart]

but I could make it longer (like a long rectangle), or wider (like a big square).

Depends on how wide it is now.
Got pic of what you have now...with dimensions?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Depends on how wide it is now.
Got pic of what you have now...with dimensions?

X2
How wide and long is it now? What about the area in....does one shape fit better without requiring significant changes to the space?

 

[Echidne41]

I’m sorry, I don’t have a pic handy, but it’s about 4x10–I love on a good chunk of land, so there’s plenty of space. Just not sure what the chickens would prefer. Wider might give them more space to run and jump?