How much roaming area = free-range??

[BBsChicks]

I think 684 sq ft is still free-range for 6 chickens and is plenty. They used to have 1/4 acre but they were into everything. I am much happier; no poop on the deck, no chickens eating my wheat-grass unless I give it to them, no one digs up my potted plants, no extra fence around the garden beds, etc. So ~ they are still free-range, right? Their coop is 4' X 8' screened with a night time lock down area that is 4' X 4' with a 4' roost. They have access to the screened area except at night. Their new fenced area is 38' X 18'. They get up at 6:30a in the summer and go to bed about 8:30p

 

[kjt135]

I did the same with mine poop everywhere is what got to me. My 18 chickens are in a 33 x 33 fenced in area and good so far.

 

[teach1rusl]

Although I've seen it discussed many times, I'm still not sure what constitutes "free range." What I am sure of though is that 115 or so sq. ft of space per bird should make any chicken happy

Hosing down the porch, driveway and sidewalk does get old...lol - but I still like seeing my girls sitting on the porch bench

 

[Rachy]

I love stepping out the door and my girls clustered around my feet and following me around the garden, sitting on my lap when I'm sat outside. I don't think I'd enjoy having them in a run, the downside is cleaning the patio and paths and mowing the lawn more frequently to 'hoover' up the poop but I can live with that

In the end, it's what works for you and they look like they have a huge run to enjoy

 

[HEChicken]

I truly never minded stepping around the chicken poop on our back deck at our old place, where they had the run of the backyard. Unfortunately, my family didn't feel the same way and when we moved to our new place, they begged me to confine the chickens. I could hardly bear to do it, since freedom is all they've ever known so, I fenced off a yard for them that is larger than the whole backyard we had back at the other house. The new chicken yard is 240x60.