Hello! I am new here.

[chickens763]

Hello! I am a new member of this site, and I won't be getting very personal with this site if that makes sense (as in i do not like to share information about myself online)

I am just planning to get Rhode Island Reds and would like any advice/feedback on taking care of them. I also would like advice on getting a coop and run because I still haven't figured that out yet.

 

[CCB Chakotay Chicken]

It makes perfect sense. Welcome to BYC. You want around 4 square feet of coop space per bird and about 8 square feet of run space per bird. If you wanted for example 6 Chickens you would want between 20-24 square feet of coop and between 30-48 Square feet of run space, depending on the room you have for the coop and run. I hope this helps!

 

[TesoroSena]

Hello, i have owned rirs for 3 years almost and found that they love to free range, and make great starters! Do you plan on having a permanent coop or are you doing a tractor? Anyway, welcome!

 

[chickens763]

It makes perfect sense. Welcome to BYC. You want around 4 square feet of coop space per bird and about 8 square feet of run space per bird. If you wanted for example 6 Chickens you would want between 20-24 square feet of coop and between 30-48 Square feet of run space, depending on the room you have for the coop and run. I hope this helps!

Thank you for the advice!

 

[CCB Chakotay Chicken]

No problem!

 

[chickens763]

Hello, i have owned rirs for 3 years almost and found that they love to free range, and make great starters! Do you plan on having a permanent coop or are you doing a tractor? Anyway, welcome!

I am looking for a permanent coop as of right now.

Edit; Should they be able to freerange the whole yard? A few hawks usually hover over my backyard and that worries me.

 

[CCB Chakotay Chicken]

I am looking for a permanent coop as of right now.

Edit; Should they be able to freerange the whole yard? A few hawks usually hover over my backyard and that worries me

You could plant bushes and trees for cover if you would like, its also advised to put them in at night to avoid owl attacks

 

[TesoroSena]

Fun! that is what we have, and for 23 birds i think, we have a 100ft by 60ft run, and it works great. I do want to add that they hens ruin the ground fast, and you will most likely end up having to section things off to regrow plants. Or free range them a lot.

 

[chickens763]

You could plant bushes and trees for cover if you would like, its also advised to put them in at night to avoid owl attacks

Sorry for not specifying before, but about a quarter of the yard is covered by trees. The rest is open. Should I try and keep them in the area where the trees cover them, or get a big chicken run?

 

[chickens763]

Fun! that is what we have, and for 23 birds i think, we have a 100ft by 60ft run, and it works great. I do want to add that they hens ruin the ground fast, and you will most likely end up having to section things off to regrow plants. Or free range them a lot.

Should they just be able to run in a large chicken run? Currently planning to get 6-8 chickens. Also, damn that's impressive!