grass area ok? too small? ample? help???

[scottiedogscott]

ok well i just measured the area of grass in our back garden and it measures approximately 20' x 11.5' is this ok for possible future chicken family members

also half of our grass area could also be leaving us to make way for a pond so would half of the given measurements be ok or too small?

just wondering and we wont have tonnes of hens, maximum 4 and we are possibly going to rehome some ex-battery hens

i realise i have babbled but what the heck... im clucking crazy about chickens at the mo

 

[PotterWatch]

It wouldn't be tons of room, but I think you could have 4 hens in that space. We are building a run for our 6 girls that will be about 12x15. I'm hoping that will be enough.

 

[bigzio]

Yep, I agree that more room is better.
I would keep the group small, so the room remains plenty.

bigzio

 

[patandchickens]

Four hens would not be terribly deprived (esp. compared to most chickens in the world, even most backyard chickens) in a 20x11 area, or even a 10x11 area.

It will NOT stay grass however - it will pretty quickly convert to dirt. If it gets too skanky or muddy or otherwise unpleasant, get a bunch of sand or roadbase or gravel and that will help considerably. you can chuck (chicken-safe) garden waste and kitchen waste and produce-department surplus in for them to scratch and pick and eat at, and it will keep them entertained.

Good luck and have fun,

Pat

 

[Wynette]

Yes, I agree you're okay with size. Your issue will be coming up with ways to keep them entertained and have things to scratch at. Do some searching on here, and you'll find ideas for that. Lots of folks (me included) use a suet cage...stuff it with chicken-friendly treats such as cabbage, greens, apples split in half, melon; then hang up & watch them go at it! It's entertaining & gives them something to work at.

If you do end up getting battery chickens, their beaks will most likely be trimmed; if so, you'll need a deep dish to feed them in rather than a regular chicken feeder so they can scoop up the feed. Good luck!!

 

[scottiedogscott]

thanks sooo much

i was also wondering would the chickens be ok on our grass? the soil is very dry and hard but the grass grows fine.... would this be ok?

 

[bigzio]

Yep, any grassy area regardless of the quality is just fine!

bigzio

 

[Davaroo]

Hey do what you gotta. Get some chickens in there!
20x11? Somebody do the math, how many sq ft is that............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... oh, okay thanks
220 sq ft total. To include a shelter? 5 oughta do it.

 

[scottiedogscott]

ok thats good to hear

would 110 sq ft be ok for 3, max 4 chickens? we have a secure garden so they would get out. also how high would my garden fences be? i think they are at lowest maybe just over 5 feet. is this ok? or will chicken even with clipped wings maybe go on a little wander?

my other family members are worried about noise and the neighbours? due to living in britain our neighbours our right next door on both sides but we have no one behind us. would some hens be a regular glee club? lol so many questions... so much time

 

[Davaroo]

would 110 sq ft be ok for 3, max 4 chickens?
Good. A little small, IMHO, but it'll work. Use mulch or straw in the chicken run to about 3". Keep it freshened and stirred. Replace it about twice per year.
WHat you do not want is mud. Ever.

we have a secure garden so they would get out.
I assume this means they will get out to forage the yard/garden area. Good. But mind your plants - the chickens will nip at the tender ones and they love to nick the veggies before you get to them!

How high would my garden fences be? I think they are at lowest maybe just over 5 feet. is this ok?
Clip the wings, both of them, and this should do. Keep nothing close to the fence that a chicken could hop up on and from there make the leap to the fence. Trim all shrubbery from around the perimeter. You could also add 2 ft to the fence.


my other family members are worried about noise and the neighbours? Due to living in Britain, our neighbours our right next door on both sides but we have no one behind us. would some hens be a regular glee club?
Well, in a word, yes. Chickens are social creatures. Will it be bothersome? Most likely not. Hens are normally pretty sedate in a group, although not dead quiet. SO you can expect some "begaaaaawking" from time to time.

And there is often one who will become dominant (alpha) and assume a cocks role. That one can "hencrow" loud enough to wake the dead, but that doesn't always happen - so take things one step at a time.

The Brits love their gardens, and have a bit more heritage with garden-bound city chickens than we
Yanks do. I suggets you speak with the neighbors concerned ahead of time. While it may seem cheeky, it will clear the air and they may even like the idea.

A fun book about chickens in a British gardenscape is called "Hen and the Art of Chicken Maintenance: Reflections on Raising Chickens," by Martin Gurdon.
You should look it up and give it a go.