Making a run

[emmalemons]

so I have 6 hens and 1 rooster and they need a chicken run. How big should it be though? This is my first time having chickens and I’m not sure if the run needs to be as big as most are. I let them run around in our yard during the day, but we are traveling soon and they won’t be let out. Will they be okay? Or should I think about building a run?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I would build a nice secure run of decent enough size so in case you have to lock them up you have something. Chickens that go from free ranging to confinement can have problems adjusting so a bigger area can help prevent aggression in case they need to be locked up. I always recommend to build as large as you can. Crowded chickens are often mean chickens.

 

[emmalemons]

Thank you so much! I had no idea chickens could get mean that way. This helped a lot

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

The only time I saw deadly aggression was when I had to lock my normally free chickens up for a few weeks. My polish rooster did not survive. That was a hard learned lesson.

 

[emmalemons]

that is awful I lost 1 of my chickens to our dogs but after that the dogs backed from because of our rooster

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Dogs can definitely be a problem too. I've lost a couple to a naughty young boxer, my own of course. It would of helped if a rooster put her in her place.

 

[emmalemons]

Hey thanks for your help again! Now I at least have somewhere to start