How Much Run Space?

[Chicken 3033]

Does anyone know how much run space 7 chickens should have? I have some new additions to my flock and am expanding the run. I wish I could let them free roam but it would be all to easy for them to become a predators dinner. Thanks! :cd

 

[Judy]

Simply, as much as you can manage. The formula of 10 sq ft per bird in the run is intended to be the minimum needed to prevent pecking and cannibalism, and certainl people have encountered severe pecking problems with that much space. Here is a great article:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-much-room-do-chickens-need

 

[Chicken 3033]

Thanks, the article was really helpful! And advice was great!

 

[lularat]

That article was very good. As Judy stated, "Simply as much as you can manage" because no doubt after you build it, you will wished you had built it larger. My coop is 5 x 6 and houses 6 hens and yes, I wish I had made it larger. My run is approximately 10 x 30, with the coop in the middle. My girls do spend most of their day in the run, except when laying. I lock them in their coop at night.

 

[Chicken 3033]

Yeah, if I had built mine bigger in the first place, there would be no need to expand the coop