Here's my hen house....now what?

[newtothis]

Here is my hen house (for 6 chickens), how much space do they need to run around in a "pen"? I hope to let them roam free in the yard most of the time but I assume they still need a secure area. Our plan now is to put them in a 30 foot long area on the side of the house and put their hen house in the middle and since it is fenced on the side we will just need a fence from the backyard. Does that sound good and a good life for the chickens?

 

[sherrydeanne]

You want to give each chook 10 sf out in the run, so if it's as big as it looks (8x30) you have more than enough room. I would, however, cover it. They could get on top of the coop and hop over to the neighbors LOL.

 

[Intheswamp]

Is the coop sitting in the proposed run area??? Rough gravel like that might promote bumblefoot. I just thought I'd mention it in case this will be the area.

Best wishes,
Ed

 

[rancher hicks]

Make sure they can't fly over it and your in great shape. Very nice coop wish I were physically able to make one that nice.

 

[newtothis]

That is the area and we are taking the rock out (just didn't get to it before the chick's arrived). I will put a cover on it, will chicken wire work? So if that is there home and I let them in the yard for a few hours a day that is good? I plan on making some beds in their coop and planting things they will eat, a chicken "garden" of sorts.

 

[Intheswamp]

Quote:
What is that, about 30'x5'? 150 square feet. Should be plenty of room for 6 chickens. Yes, getting the rocks out will be very good. As for planting anything in there you're definitely going to have to seal/fence off the planted area from the chickens...they'll have it scratched up in a very short amount of time. What you might consider is purchasing a couple of bales of *weedy* hay (no briars) hay. If you could get some bales from the first cutting of the year you'll get all the spring wildflowers, weeds, seeds, etc., in it. You can scatter some of this in the run from time to time and the chickens will think they've died an gone to chicken heaven.

Letting them out for a few hours to hunt bugs and whatever in the yard each day would be great. Basically anything you can do to keep the chickens active and busy will help to alleviate potential behavioral problems.

Chicken wire will keep them in but it won't some of the predators out.

Lookin' good.

Ed

 

[AtholCoop]

Quote:
I LOVE the egg shaped cut outs for the venilation... I'm um gonna steal that.