How big should the run be?

[Ericksen-Hrehor5]

How much room do 6 chickens need in their run?

 

[MadisonOde]

Our run is 16x8 for our six chickens.

 

[Birdsong 82]

General rule is 10 sf per chicken minimum for the run. But I’m sure that rule can vary by situation and location.

 

[SueT]

Make it as big as you can, but generally, minimum recommended is 10 sq. ft per bird. More room equals less stress, less mess, so the bigger the better.

 

[sumi]

There is no precise answer to this as so many factors goes into determining the size requirements. The simple answer would be as big as you can make it. Chickens like as much space to roam as possible.

If you're limited space wise, aim for about 12 square feet per bird, if possible. More if you can.

Another thing to take into consideration is would your birds be confined to the run, or would they be allowed some free ranging time as well?

Have you got predators you need to protect them against? Hawks, ground predators?

 

[Ericksen-Hrehor5]

I have 6 chickens and 15 sq ft of run, but they also free range and have several acres. We are surrounded by woods (and predators), so we only let them out when we are out with them...about 1-2 hours a day. They are 2 months old now. Planning on giving them more freedom when they are full grown. Just wondering if their pen is big enough.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Right now it's probably big enough but you'll need to be free ranging most of the time to keep them occupied if you don't have plans to expand the run.

The commonly quoted minimum sq ft per chicken in the run is 10 sq ft, but realistically that is on the small side especially if they're restricted to that most or all of the time. However if you're planning to have your flock split time inside and out, then maybe 10 sq ft per bird will be enough.

 

[123RedBeard]

I have 6 chickens and 15 sq ft of run

Total? How big is their coop?

You need a lot more fencing to make a much bigger run ... atleast five times bigger ... ten would be better!

Since you have a few acres ... why not fence in half an acre?

Just wondering if their pen is big enough.

Nope.

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What breed(s) of chickens do you have?

 

[Ericksen-Hrehor5]

3 Brahmas and 3 Isa Browns

 

[Ericksen-Hrehor5]

Duh...so bad at math...not 15sq ft...225 sq ft! No wonder I was so confused!