How big should the run be??

[crumptz]

I have 5 hens... chicks at this time... building a coop 3X5 with nest boxes on the outside. I need to build a run. I am not planning on free ranging since the last time I did I lost a great deal of my garden and my hens made a huge amount of noise. How big does my run need to be for the 5 girls?

 

[DreadedMoonMama]

The general rule is 10sf per bird. So at least 50. Also, it's usually suggested at least 4sf per bird for the coop, so I would make the coop a bit bigger if you aren't too far into it.

 

[Fleabuskitty]

If they are not free-ranging, I'd say 8 to 10 square feet of run space each, but more is always better. It also depends on the breeds. Smaller breeds like Leghorns and other light breeds may be okay with a little less space than large Wyandottes and Plymouth Rocks. I've had small bantams (Seramas) be perfectly happy with less than 5 square feet of space.