is my run to small ? :C

[connor97]

It is 4 feet by 17 feet. We have 6 standard size chickens and soon we are getting one bantam silkie. They will only be in the run from the morning until I get home at 3, or sometimes even earlier, then I will let them out too free range. Is this too small ?
If it gets over crowded I could rehome some of them maybe but I would prefer to keep them all

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

With 6 LF and 1 Silkie, that would be the minimum size. Just keep an eye out for boredom pecking.

 

[mrwoodboat]

as long as they have feed and water, I think you are fine- many people keep them that number in a much smaller space.

 

[Brookliner]

You could hang a cabbage. They will keep busy pecking the cabbage instead of each other.

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

Sounds alright for what you have. Keep a close eye on the Silkie. They're pretty indefensible as they can't see others coming at them to peck them. Do the intro when you're home all day, like the weekend, to make sure they're getting along. I try to offer my birds various treats when they're going to be locked up all day.

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

It is 4 feet by 17 feet. We have 6 standard size chickens and soon we are getting one bantam silkie. They will only be in the run from the morning until I get home at 3, or sometimes even earlier, then I will let them out too free range. Is this too small ?
If it gets over crowded I could rehome some of them maybe but I would prefer to keep them all

I just re-read this. You will probably be better getting two. Everywhere I have read about introducing just one bird to an existing flock has ended badly. You would still be ok with adding 2 bantams as they are smaller and require less space. PLEASE consider this.

 

[connor97]

My chicks are only 6-7 weeks old. The one silkie will be bigger then everyone else. Do you think it would be okay to just have one then since I'm introducing them to each other while everyone is smaller ?

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

My chicks are only 6-7 weeks old. The one silkie will be bigger then everyone else. Do you think it would be okay to just have one then since I'm introducing them to each other while everyone is smaller ?

Ok, that should be fine then. Whew. I just saw red flags when I re read it.