run size

[okie16]

I was reading online and many sites said that you should have 10 sqft for every laying hen. Is this true????

 

[kstaven]

Commonly accepted minimum standard is 4 sq.ft. for indoor space and 10 sq.ft. for outdoor run space per bird. Some use less and some use more. More outdoor space and running room the better in my opinion. Using the standard for outdoor space you end up with baron ground very quickly.

 

[Luke74]

Thats a bit much as the rule. 6-8 is the rule for run space. BUT if you have the room, the more room the better. This would also be an expense issue. Good Luck!

 

[kstaven]

Would like to see your sources Luke. Looks like a standard for "production housing". 4 sq.ft. outdoor and aggression becomes an issue quickly with heavy breeds.

 

[okie16]

I have a lot more room, but the money is the issue as far as building the run.

My run is going to be inside of my dog pen. The dog pen is 100x100 feet. My first thought was to clip the chickens wings and turn them out into the dog pen when of course the dogs where in the house. The down side to that is the Red Tail Hawk that lives next door......

 

[Luke74]

http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/poultry/factsheets/10.html Here you go kstaven

Its from Virginia Tech so i would think its pretty reliable.

 

[tiffanyh]

hmmm okie...that is going to be problem. no one to cover is there??? check out southernchick28 's run, she has a similiar set up. do a search for her username and check out her link.....

 

[okie16]

Does anyone put litter in the out side run? My outside run is going to be 8x12 and its nothing but dirt. I was just wondering if it would help or hurt to put litter in it.

 

[airmom1c05]

I use pine shavings and red oak leaves in my run. The leaves dry quickly, but the shavings are more absorbent. The chickens love it, btw!

 

[kstaven]

Thanks for the link Luke. Noted the 8 sq ft for layers and the 10 sq ft for heavies in the chart. Seems the extension agent that wrote it is a little more clued in than many of them.