Extension to run

[remist17]

I am getting 10 more birds in April. I have some questions I would like to see if anyone can help me with.
I have two coops and two runs. Run #1 is what is currently housing my 3 year old layers(qty 5) and 2 year old layers (qty 2). It has a coop of 6x8 with a run that is 12x14. It is currently housing 7 hens. Run #2 is currently empty with a 8x8 coop and a 12x8 run. I am getting 10 new chicks in and I am not sure which is the best run to put them in. I plan on extending the 12x8 run to 16x8. I’m limited on the width to 8 ft. The larger 12x14 run will be extended to 12x18.

When the chicks are larger, I am thinking to move the 5 old 3 year hens to the small run (#2) and move the chicks(grown) and the two 2 year olds to the #1 run.
Does all that make sense? Do you feel that 12 birds in a 6x8 coop and a 12X18 Run is ok?

 

[aart]

Probably, if that 6x8 is all clear floor space....might get crowded in another winter like we're having now and they have to stay in the coop for extended periods.

 

[mpruett]

I try to give my laying hens at least 4 sg ft of floor space per chicken. 6'x8'=48 sq ft. If you can hang your feeders, water, nests and roosting areas off the floor-it sounds like you will have enough space for happy healthy chickens.

 

[remist17]

what about taking the #2 pen and making the run longer? It will still be 8 feet wide but i could maybe go out to 20ft long. Would that be a better choice?

 

[mpruett]

Any time you can give your chickens more space, the better. If you can extend their run, I would go ahead and do so.