How much run space do my girls need?

[Kelly G]

My Lowe's Playhouse/Chicken coop has room for about 5 chickens...So I bought 6 Barred Rock chicks - hoping to have at least 5 survive to adulthood. Anyway, we put in the run today and it allows for just 50 square feet of run space (at the cost of nearly $300!). How much room will my grown chickens realistically need?

Thanks for your time!

 

[ChickenToes]

Each bird should have a minimum of 10 square feet in the run.

 

[Alaskan]

But what I have always wanted is two runs, and rotate them from one to the other.

That way the one run has some time to recover and grow grass and weeds for the girls to play with when they get put back in.

 

[cjeanean]

anywhere from 6-10 sq feet should be fine, based on how large your chickens are. I have quite a few, and right now they each have about 7 sq ft and they're doing great! I wouldn't go under that number, though, cause then it starts getting really cramped. Good luck!