New chicken owner, need advice on size!

[jessshell]

So right now I have a 16x8 ft run for my eight chickens. They are only 4.5 weeks old right now but when I put them in the run during the day I feel like they will outgrow it soon. Their coop is 4x8. Also, the breeds I have are 3 cochins, 1 sussex, 1 orpington and 3 EE. Should I make it 8 feet longer, upgrade it to a 24x8?

 

[pennyJo1960]

Go big or go home? chicken math is real
Welcome a good laugh is always on the agenda but yes I would enlarge is this a coops or just a run?

 

[jessshell]

Go big or go home? chicken math is real
Welcome a good laugh is always on the agenda but yes I would enlarge is this a coops or just a run?

Just the run is 16x8, the coop is attached and is 4x8. When I originally built it I figured it would be plenty of room, each chicken getting 16 square feet outside, and 4 square feet inside, but now I feel like they will outgrow it quickly.

 

[rosemarythyme]

You have enough space in the sense that you meet or exceed minimum recommendations, but more room is always preferable as it gives the birds space to get away from each other if needed, plus more options for putting in things for them to interact with. So if it's within your budget, I would add on the extra 8'.

I currently have a little over 60 sq ft in the run per chicken but if I could go back and go a bit bigger, I would.

 

[MadisonOde]

I think it will be fine, that’s pretty much the size of our setup. It’s also nice to have a moveable pen so they can “free range”.

 

[jessshell]

I think it will be fine, that’s pretty much the size of our setup. It’s also nice to have a moveable pen so they can “free range”.

Ours doesn't move, we cemented the posts in the ground. But we do have a fenced in backyard and we were going to let them explore the whole yard when we are outside with them.

 

[adickenscoop]

I think the more space the better....here is a chart though that might be helpful - http://www.adoptabirdnetwork.com/topics/chicken-space-requirements

 

[jessshell]

I'm going to go ahead and add on the additional 8x8 space next summer!

 

[jreardon1918]

Of course bigger would be better. But, I think your eight chickens will be quite content in the current space. We have 6 hens in a 4x8 coop. The enclosed secure run is 8x 12. And they do very well. I should note they were all raised together. We have an extended run, that is not secure. That is an additional 20 x 50. But that does expose the chicks to risk. I usually let them out there when I am home. We have neighbors that also let them out. Again, I think the extra space is good for them until the day it is not.