Help, please--trying to see if I have enough space!

[Dona Worry]

Not a problem. I wasn't totally clear now that I re-read it. ( Sounded better in my head) Run space for 43 chickens. Your roost space should be ok, as long as some defer to the less desirable locations. Are you planning on keeping them as 2 separate flocks. If together they may all try to squeeze into one coop or the other.

Wow. I'm apparently much worse at math than I thought. I thought my run space would be severely lacking. I've never had chickens anything but free range, I was sure the runs would be much too small.
I don't know how the flocks will separate out. It depends on how the boys behave with each other. If I get the run iron-clad, I won't ever need to close the coop doors except in the most severe weather, so if they all decide to sleep in one coop happily that would be up to them. The boys get along fine now, but are still very young-- 3 and 6 months respectively. There is a slight divide already-- Nardole and one of the older pullets have bonded and he dotes on her, and all the others hang out together.
I am really hoping these six newbies fall in love with his bravery and swoon over his battle scars!

I remember your post. It looks like you did a nice job with the pool frame. Considering that it was a rush job it came out fine. As you can, keep reinforcing. The chicken wire will only last so long, and won't do much for a determined predator. Over all I like the idea

Thanks! It's not my best work, but we've cleared all the tall grass and pastures around the house so there is nowhere for a predator to hide, so I'm hoping the fence makes them less of an easy target until I can Fort Knox the runs.

 

[Dona Worry]

Just out of curiosity, where does the 10sq feet of run number come from? It doesn't seem like nearly enough, who determined that, and how?

 

[Bryant Redhawk]

Originally the space requirements came from the USDA in the 1920's and 1930's, they were revised in the 1940's because they found that the previous space figures were to small. These numbers were developed for chicken growers, now they are used for small flocks (under 1000 birds). Of course, today the growers just pack them into long houses. In the old days there was more concern for well being of the animal than there is today.

 

[Birdsong 82]

Originally the space requirements came from the USDA in the 1920's and 1930's, they were revised in the 1940's because they found that the previous space figures were to small. These numbers were developed for chicken growers, now they are used for small flocks (under 1000 birds). Of course, today the growers just pack them into long houses. In the old days there was more concern for well being of the animal than there is today.

OK. My answer was going to say that’s the general rule of thumb. But I like your answer much better. LOL. That’s good information though