Run how big for 10

[offshorewife]

We are about to re-do our chicken run because it's only 4 ft high with a top. I hate walking in stooped over! DH agreed to build it 6ft high still with a top. We have 10 young hens and I wanted to know what's the smallest we can build a run? They have a rather large coop but spend most of the day in the run. They have free range of both.

Warmly,

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
Well, the smallest possible would be the biggest you can possibly bring yourself to build it

More seriously, I really hate to see them with less than 10 sq ft per bird total, preferably more like 15 sq ft per bird or more. By total I mean coop plus run. So for example if your coop is, say, 4x10 (40 sq ft), then you'd want the run to be at ABSOLUTELY least 6x10, preferably a lot more like 10x10 (or the equivalent), and frankly more is better.

Have you considered, instead of actually tearing it all apart and rebuilding it 6' tall, instead leaving the 4' high walls there and then using a horse panel (or part thereof, or even just 2x4 mesh if the run is smallish or narrow) to make and ARCHED roof? It would save you a WHOLE LOT of work.

Good luck,

Pat

 

[cajunlizz]

Quote:
Well, the smallest possible would be the biggest you can possibly bring yourself to build it

More seriously, I really hate to see them with less than 10 sq ft per bird total, preferably more like 15 sq ft per bird or more. By total I mean coop plus run. So for example if your coop is, say, 4x10 (40 sq ft), then you'd want the run to be at ABSOLUTELY least 6x10, preferably a lot more like 10x10 (or the equivalent), and frankly more is better.

Have you considered, instead of actually tearing it all apart and rebuilding it 6' tall, instead leaving the 4' high walls there and then using a horse panel (or part thereof, or even just 2x4 mesh if the run is smallish or narrow) to make and ARCHED roof? It would save you a WHOLE LOT of work.

Good luck,

Pat

OMG . read where majority say 2 ft. square , SOME say 4 ft. and YOU NOW saying 15 ft. square ? COME ON , now that is UNREAL .


MY run is 12x20 and COOP is 8x12 . Chickens ONLY sleep and LAY in the coop and spend most of the time OUT in the run . Even heard where alot of chickens EVEN LAY AND SLEEP in the run area or even on top of the coop . SO GO FIGURE

 

[offshorewife]

The coop is 8x10 and the current run is 8x30 that would give them about 24 sq ft per hen which is great. However we want to enlarge our garden and grow extra produce and flax to feed them during the summer and fall. It's a catch 22. We wanted to make it 8x20 which I believe will be plenty of room. We do let them out during the day before and after the garden is planted and harvested. It's only during the summer months they are confined 100% of the time.

Warmly,

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

Cajunlizz...I think pat was talking about the run size not the coop size. That would be a little to large for a coop...I agree. I got that they were talking about the run size.

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
Er, calm down... if you reread my post you will see that I am talking about TOTAL space available to the chickens, not indoor space.

Also please realize that not everyone lives in climates where chickens can spend most of their time outdoors all year. THat makes a difference too.

Pat

 

[morelcabin]

Well I have a 6x10 pen in the shed for 18 layers and I wouldn't hesitate to put a few more in there without anticipating problems. My run is 10x 12. I have no pecking problems and my birds are healthy and happy. I'm hoping that once my neighbor gets rid of his dog I will be able to free range...if that ever happens:>)

 

[cajunlizz]

Quote:
well , my coop is 8x12 with PLENTY VENTILATION .........and my run is 12x20 and can easily be enlarged if need be .


NOT all the chickens are laying now and regardless they DO NOT ALL LAY at same time .........