Run Space Requirement

[Coturnix Quail]

Simple question, how much run space do i need for 7 standard hens and 1 bantam to live comfortably? They will be confined almost always unless i let them out under supervision. Also, if i’m getting an 8x10 coop is that too large?

 

[Northwest_Wannabe]

Can't help for run but wanted to say that a coop can never be too big ;D more space the better in my opinion!

 

[thelittlegraybarn]

I agree with @Northwest However per Mississippi State "1 square foot of floor space for every 10 chicks through the first 2 weeks. During the 4-6 week period the birds need at least .25 square foot per bird and at 6-12 weeks of age the birds need at least .75 square foot per bird"

 

[Phlimm]

I've always heard that for a run, it is 10 square feet per hen. So for 8 birds, an 8x10 run would be just right.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I've always heard that for a run, it is 10 square feet per hen. So for 8 birds, an 8x10 run would be just right.

Just right, at a minimum. Personally I feel "minimum" is too small so I'd advise 15-20 sq ft minimum per bird. That allows for addition of clutter to help alleviate boredom and help diffuse aggression issues, plus a little wiggle room for expansion in the future.

Coop - no such thing as "too big." If you really do have extra space, you can always build some storage into it, or a brooding area, isolation area, etc.

 

[Coturnix Quail]

Just right, at a minimum. Personally I feel "minimum" is too small so I'd advise 15-20 sq ft minimum per bird. That allows for addition of clutter to help alleviate boredom and help diffuse aggression issues, plus a little wiggle room for expansion in the future.

Coop - no such thing as "too big." If you really do have extra space, you can always build some storage into it, or a brooding area, isolation area, etc.

Does 10x12 sound good? It just seems so small.

 

[TheRealWitwiki]

Simple question, how much run space do i need for 7 standard hens and 1 bantam to live comfortably? They will be confined almost always unless i let them out under supervision. Also, if i’m getting an 8x10 coop is that too large?

I have 10 chickens my coop is 10x10 and the run about the same. Plenty of space

 

[Peppercorngal]

Does 10x12 sound good? It just seems so small.

Make the run as big as you can. Chickens love space! The coop is used for laying and night time sleeping, but the run needs to be as big as you have space for. The more space the happier chickens are. I don't care about the "minimum requirements" of 1 sq foot, etc. Experience tells me they love to have room.

 

[aart]

Does 10x12 sound good? It just seems so small.

Go bigger then!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Does 10x12 sound good? It just seems so small.

It's certainly an improvement over 80 sq ft but if you have the room and budget for it, your chickens will be happy to have even more space if you want to go bigger.