salatin pen is both in one

[davidchickens]

I am new and I know my opinion doesn't count for much. Personally I think for layers the salatin pen would have to be highly modified. I've only personally had experience with free range, and coop and run systems. Yet we ourselves are going to build a tractor for our hens, and eventually a paddock shift system (some consider "the ultimate" chicken system.) However from my studying and what I know about chickens I'd say that Joel's system is best for broilers. It would have to be highly modified for layers, and a much smaller amount. I'd say at most about 30 hens could live in a salatin coop at most. Smaller the better. My suggestions are based the coop is moved trice a day, contains extra room for roosts and nests, at 4 square feet per hen (the absolute minimum). Still not the best plan.

 

[davidchickens]

Salatin's broiler pens are too small, IMHO. He uses a 10x12 pen for up to 100 birds which is less than 1.5 sq foot per bird. More space = happier birds. That being said, I do like Salatin.

I'd say differently. Most of the time there in there their still babies, and smaller, there only there full size for a week or to, by then the broilers aren't movers very much any way. They just sit around and eat and drink mostly.