How much run space is needed?

[KFox]

I have converted an 8 x 12 shed into a coop--well, mostly. It is a work in progress. I have 4 standard and 4 bantams. How much run space should I plan to build?

I was thinking of building a smaller outdoor run that is 100% enclosed with hardware cloth so the chickens have indoor/outdoor access all the time. Then adding a larger space with an open top to let them roam during the day. Any suggestions?

I've looked through several posts here for ideas. I want them to be happy and I'm figuring the more room they have, the less clean-up I'll have to do. I've heard 10 sq ft per bird but would an 8 x 10 enclosure be enough? Doesn't seem like much.

 

[teach1rusl]

The 10 sq. ft. thing is a minimum recommendation, and it DOES seem small, doesn't it. Personally, I can't imagine my birds only having that much space... A small, secure run and a larger, less secure run sounds like a good idea to me. We have a secure run, but my birds mostly roam our fenced yard/property. It's still nice having the run though, for times when we're away for a weekend, or when we're fertilizing the yard, etc.
And you're right...more space means much easier clean-up + happier birds.

 

[patandchickens]

Enough is relative. Enough for what? Enough to avoid really serious sanitation challenges and a significantly increased chance of cannibalism, that would be in th 8-10 sq ft per hen range (plus adequate indoor space) -- for your 8 chickens, 8x10 would be fine. OTOH if you can give them more space, neither you nor the chickens would be likely to regret it

As your plan is to leave the popdoor open 24/7, I want to make sure you realize that a lot of people lose their chickens doing that... it is far far easier to be convinced that your run is totally 100% predatorproof than for it to actually BE totally 100% predatorproof, esp. on an ongoing basis as it ages.

Given this, if you still really wanna do it, I think your plan of having a modest sized "really secure" area plus a larger less-secure daytime-only area is quite sensible.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[KFox]

I've already changed my mind about the 24/7 access to the secure outside area after reading some posts here. I'm out there to gather goats and lock them up, it would only take a few extra minutes to lock the chickens up. I think I'm pretty set on having a secure area for during the day when I'm not out there and then a less-secure area for when I'm supervising.

My yard has a 6 ft privacy fence across the front (west side). The south-side is barbed-wire. The east-side meets a cow pasture. It's split-rail that we put mesh hardware cloth in. The north-side is currently open with natural boundaries (shrubs and ornamental grasses). The chicken coop is on the south-west side. I don't really have anything over there, so I have plenty of room. I may tie-in to the privacy fence for the less secure area and use that entire side.

I'm going to move my Pekin duck in front of the chicken coop as well. She is our alarm system. She quacks loudly at anything or anyone that doesn't belong. She's also quite aggressive and has the neighbor's dog scared out of his mind, but that's another story...

I'm so nervous about taking them outside and leaving them. Good thing I still have about 4 weeks to get used to the idea.

 

[Wimberleytexaschick]

I am a chicken newbie and was very scared to start free ranging my girls but gave it a try this weekend. They were so good, they stayed close to their coop and run and my house. They seemed so happy and had a great time digging in the leaves for bugs. We were entertained for hours. I kept checking on them to be sure my cats were not too close, my girls are only about 10 weeks so I am sure one of my big cats could hurt still hurt them. I am really glad that I let them out and will do so whenever I am home to watch. They have a small coop which we lock them in at night and an 8x8 run for 6 girls, seems to be enough room with free-ranging each day.