How much space should I give them?

[Littleport22]

I'm looking at getting RIR's. Probably only about 3 of them. I'm one of those people in the city, but have a big enough yard to enjoy both chickens and relaxation. Unfortunately in my neighborhood, letting them roam free won't work with my 5' fence. That's how I would prefer to raise them, but it's not practical.

SO.... how much space should I give 3 RIR's for a coop and run. I'll be moving them around the yard to give them fresh ground to scratch, but I can't build a permanent structure since they can't be let out to roam.

THANKS!!!!

Mike

 

[DarkWolf]

3 birds would =

12 square foot of coop space
30 square foot of run space
36 linear inches of roost space
1 nest box

 

[Littleport22]

That's awesome. Thanks. I think I can manage a bit more than that just to make it comfortable. So each bird doesn't need it's own box? Will they all lay new eggs on top of each other's eggs?

 

[DarkWolf]

Naaa... No need for more than one nest with that many.. Basic rule is one box per four birds, so you're good with one. They'll happily share the box.. The ONLY issue you might have is if one goes broody and won't share the nest so as far as that goes, might want to have a backup handy.

I'd heard alot of people use those covered plastic kitty litter bins as nest boxes, so that's an option as a spare if you do have one go broody.

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
That'd be a very very good idea if you can manage it. I can tell you that my chickens behave noticeably differently when given 1.5-4x the space allotments being quoted here. They just seem a lot more relaxed and 'natural' and individual and happy.

So each bird doesn't need it's own box? Will they all lay new eggs on top of each other's eggs?

Well, remember they're only laying one egg a day. So you're exceedingly unlikely to ever see more than 3 eggs in the box (and some days there will be only 1 or 2). And you'll collect them at least once a day, yes? (You really should).

So the next hen just comes in after the preceding hen has left and deposit a new egg next to what's there. Even if you give them more boxes, chances are they'll only use 1 anyhow -- it is their natural instinct to build up a clutch of eggs in one place.

Have fun,

Pat​

 

[Beau coop]

Quote:
Can you list the above information for 3 bantams please?

 

[DarkWolf]

I may be off on this, but...

3 BANTAM birds would =

9 square foot of coop space @ 2sf per bird
15-24 square foot of run space @ 5-8sf per bird
18-30 linear inches of roost space @ 6-10" per bird
1 nest box