How many Chickens for a 2000sqf run to keep it clean

[Rhys Cuff]

Hello

I’m going to enclose my orchard that is about 2000sq feet to keep the possums off my fruit trees.

I figure I may as well 2 birds with one stone it (excuse the pun) and make it the chicken run as well.

I currently have 9 chooks.

How many birds do you think I could have in this run to keep it almost maintenance and smell free?
Am I dreaming to think it may still have grass with say 20 birds?

The birds wil free range on the weekends and after work weekdays.

Thanks for any help and all the help I have already read on this fantastic forum

Rhys

 

[3riverschick]

100.

 

[Farmgal101]

Hello

I’m going to enclose my orchard that is about 2000sq feet to keep the possums off my fruit trees.

I figure I may as well 2 birds with one stone it (excuse the pun) and make it the chicken run as well.

I currently have 9 chooks.

How many birds do you think I could have in this run to keep it almost maintenance and smell free?
Am I dreaming to think it may still have grass with say 20 birds?

The birds wil free range on the weekends and after work weekdays.

Thanks for any help and all the help I have already read on this fantastic forum

Rhys

I would start with 20 if you think or want to add more because there is extra room i would go for it. also

 

[Farmgal101]

it might help if you post a picture of the run and coop so we can get a general idea.

 

[Rhys Cuff]

Think I’ll go the 20
I can’t post a picture because it doesn’t exist yet ;-)

 

[Farmgal101]

Think I’ll go the 20
I can’t post a picture because it doesn’t exist yet ;-)

OH,well I think it could fit 20, I would love to see a picture once your done with it.

 

[SueT]

Possums go over fences......what kind of fence are you talking about?

 

[Rhys Cuff]

Thinking something 7 foot with a Hotwire at the top.

 

[aart]

Not sure why people are asking about a coop that was not even mentioned<scratcheshead>unless I missed that part.

Tho coop size is important.

Curious about this fence too....in case you don't know, hot wire only at top needs a ground wire running nest to it to be effective.

20 birds may be OK, I have 15-30 in 500 sqft and it is bare of vegetation.
So you may want to just stick with your 9.
Can depend on your climate and the kinds of vegetation growing in there.
You can also restrict the time they spend in there, that could be different at different times of the year.

 

[Farmgal101]

Not sure why people are asking about a coop that was not even mentioned<scratcheshead>unless I missed that part.

Tho coop size is important.

Curious about this fence too....in case you don't know, hot wire only at top needs a ground wire running nest to it to be effective.

20 birds may be OK, I have 15-30 in 500 sqft and it is bare of vegetation.
So you may want to just stick with your 9.
Can depend on your climate and the kinds of vegetation growing in there.
You can also restrict the time they spend in there, that could be different at different times of the year.

I mentioned the coop.I said if it was big enough to fit 20 chickens.look at the top of the page.