Open space VS Run

[Themagicone]

Hi,

I recently got some chickens from my neighbor along with everything they had for them. They just had a small coop and a 12x12 "pen". No cover, just fencing. Told me they never had a y take flight.

Currently I am building a new much larger 8x12 coop for 20 hens. I could fence in an area like 30ft x 15ft for them (I have a large 1 acre yard). Or build a 15x20 run fully covered.

Or should I build a small covered run and still fence in the large area?

Plan is to have 20 chickens and 4 or 5 ducks.

 

[SunHwaKwon]

That is completely up to you. What is your setting (suburbs, farmland, etc)? Even if they pretty much always free range, it's nice to have a covered and secure run in case there is an issue, like a predator hanging around or you need to go out of town, etc.

 

[muddyhens]

Hi,

I recently got some chickens from my neighbor along with everything they had for them. They just had a small coop and a 12x12 "pen". No cover, just fencing. Told me they never had a y take flight.

Currently I am building a new much larger 8x12 coop for 20 hens. I could fence in an area like 30ft x 15ft for them (I have a large 1 acre yard). Or build a 15x20 run fully covered.

Or should I build a small covered run and still fence in the large area?

Plan is to have 20 chickens and 4 or 5 ducks.

This is my setup too. I have approx. 20 chickens 5 ducks and 2 geese. I'd say it depends on the predators in your area. My animals always put themselves to bed in our large coop (locked in for the night), but run free in their 1/4 acre fenced but uncovered enclosure all day. If you might not be able to lock them up, I'd make a smaller, completely covered run. I've lost a few who find a weak spot in the fence and had a few fugitives fly out. They generally fly back in at night, but not before they've dug up my garden and pooped on the patio!

 

[PetitePlume]

I have both. A covered area and a big run. That way The soil can have a break and I can separate them if needed and they can be safe when we go away. The covered area isn't weasel family proof so I make sure the chickens are locked in for the night.
If you go according to predators in your area it should be good.

 

[New2Chicks97]

We are going to be converting a shed for a new larger coop for our chickens. My plan is to build a decent sized attached covered run along with a fenced yard area that they have access to only during the day. I like the idea of a secure covered run that they can access 24/7 from the coop because then the food & water can remain outside. This also works well if you have to go away on vacation or a weekend trip because no one has to come & let them out or into the coop.

 

[aart]

Hi,

I recently got some chickens from my neighbor along with everything they had for them. They just had a small coop and a 12x12 "pen". No cover, just fencing. Told me they never had a y take flight.

Currently I am building a new much larger 8x12 coop for 20 hens. I could fence in an area like 30ft x 15ft for them (I have a large 1 acre yard). Or build a 15x20 run fully covered.

Or should I build a small covered run and still fence in the large area?

Plan is to have 20 chickens and 4 or 5 ducks.

May depend on
-predators.
-whether you are around or gone most of the day.
-and your climate.

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