How many chickens can i have?

[Iheartchicks<3:)]

thats all my grandparents allow me to get 4 now

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
It is nice to think handy-dandy thoughts like that, but have you actually SEEN how they behave with larger amounts of space?

I have kept them at 4 sq ft per chicken indoors, and up to 15 sq ft per chicken indoors, and having seen the considerable difference in their behavior (and the difference in management/sanitation is not totally irrelevant either) I will never ever give mine less than 10-15 sq ft per chicken indoors PLUS run-or-free-range. (e.t.a - but climate matters too. If I lived in like Hawaii and they truly only used the indoors for sleeping, *ever*, I would probably have not much more than a roost-box large enough to accommodate their roost space.)

It is a personal choice of course, but it seems to me that reality is more relevant than imagination in helping one decide these things...

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[Iheartchicks<3:)]

thanks!

 

[Santa Walt]

I am one of those newbies that needs to ask that rite-of-passage question, but in a different sort of way. I want my chickens (Delaware) to be as free-range as possible without them actually being free-range. I have a fairly large backyard (about 1/3 acre) and plan to keep 12-15 laying hens and a rooster. There will be times when there are more, but the extra will be growing from chicks to laying age. When those chicks come of laying age, I will cull the older, non-layers out for food, bringing the level back down.
All this brings up my real question. Do chickens try to “escape” just because they want too, or are they fairly content when the area is large enough? My backyard is fenced by a 4' fence. I am wondering if that is sufficient for the size and number I mentioned, or does it need to be taller. BTW, the fence is more for the chicken’s protection than to keep them from ranging. They could go further than my backyard, (The field behind me is not my property and I cannot fence any more.) but I fear for their safety. There are many predators in our area (rural) including hawks, coyotes, raccoons, possums, etc.