How much room for layers?

[Chick_a_dee]

Quote:
Yeah, we have our 15, and our coop building is 12x17, but they only live in about 12x13 of it, and inside they have about 9.5 sq. ft. per bird, and we have no problems at all, but they spent more time than you really want in a 4x4 brooder because of weather problems here, so they kind of grew to understand they were in tight quarters, and thats how it was, and now they have a load of space they're like WAHEEYYYYY. When we add our 5 more birds in the spring, we'll have 7.6 or so sq. ft. per bird inside, but we let them out every single day regardless of weather, they have the choice to go outside, we free choice feed, etc. I agree with bigger the house, the less to worry about, we just happened to have a building hanging around doing nothing haha.

 

[herbsherbsflowers]

My pen/run is 212 square feet and I have 6 chickens. That's a lot more than 10 square feet per bird. They seem happy. We also let them out in the backyard in the afternoon til they get ready to go to bed.

 

[Momma_Cluck]

According to the books and such we used before making ours-- indoors is 2.5 squ. ft per bird and 5-7 squ.ft per bird outdoors....

a huge run isn't an option for everyone, but at least allowing for the minimum, and letting them have outdoor space is better than none

You COULD just fence the yard and supply a "safe area" with a netting or tarp roof where they can run-in for safety (from hawks etc..) and just let them free range the entire yard.

I know a couple near me that never let their birds out of the coop, and have done it that way for years... yes, they have a HUGE barn for them that is vented and has good lighting, but still not healthy IMO.

Our "Coop" is a 12 x 14 Barn that was renovated and insulated with double-paned windows etc.. for an office-- now a coop... their run is 24 x8 and 7 feet high-- 1/2 has a tarp roof the rest is netting...and they LOVE it... it is about 6ft per bird outside and 5ft each inside.... supposedly plenty for our 30 birds.