How much run space for 10 medium/large breed chickens?

[Raubkatze]

I have 3 Australorps and 2 EEs in the run right now with 2 more Australorps and 3 Speckled Sussex currently in the brooder. My run is 20 foot x 10 foot. My dream was to have them free ranging to help with our bug problem, however they have recently taken to wandering over to our neighbor's yard. I don't particularly get along with this neighbor, and while there have been no complaints directed at me yet, I would prefer to keep it that way. I live on 20 acres that is long/skinny so putting up a fence to keep them on my property is a no-go. I am contemplating the reality that they may have to be kept in the run if they continue to take adventures over to the neighbors. I never really built this run with the intent of keeping them locked up all the time. Is this enough space for 10 chickens of this breed, or am I going to need to look at expanding in the near future?

I feel so bad, they love being out, and I love watching them scuttle all over the yard, but I can't have them leaving the property.

 

[AinaWGSD]

it depends on your individual birds, but that would be 20sq ft of run space per bird, minimum recommended is usually 10sq ft/bird, you should be okay.

 

[perkolator]

Personally I'd fence between the two properties, because having 20acres and locking them up most of the time just doesn't seem right to me. My property is bordered with 7.5ft Tenax deer fence and T-posts, and the chickens can't get over it.

When I planned my coop out, I wanted at least 10sq ft per bird inside my permanent coop/run structure, in case they needed to be locked up tight. Then I gave them an auto door to an additional run space.

 

[Raubkatze]

Update to this: I had to get them off of my neighbor's deck this morning. While up there I noticed the deck was absolutely covered in chicken poop. It's clear my chickens have been spending a significant amount of time up on their deck. I'm guessing the cold/windy/rainy weather we have been having lately has kept them off their deck and from noticing. Hopefully we will get another good rain before they do.

Anyway, they are 100% grounded to their run from now on.

 

[townchicks]

Maybe compromise by fencing off a smaller section? One acre may be doable, or even 1/2 acre, and plenty of room for 10 chickens.