Size of kennel

[Spinster_Sister]

I have two pullets that are now 4 months old, I am incubating some EEs and hopefully will add two more girls into the flock. Will a dog kennel of 10' X 10' X 6' be large enough for them? I have the option of rearranging the kennel shape into a rectangle of 15' X 5' X 6', which may work out better for my yard.

Anyway, will the 10'X10'X6' be large enough?

Thanks!

 

[teach1rusl]

Yes, that would be lovely for them! The other configuration would do as well. Although it's less sq. footage, it would still be plenty. Most say a minimum of 10 sq. ft. per bird is acceptable, but chickens LOVE space, so the more room the better!

 

[underground chickenman]

One hundred square feet is adequate for 4 hens, but they will need shelter (is this just the run?) and I would put some aviary netting or wire over the top to keep out flying predators. If they don't have a coop they can be locked up in at night, you could have raccoon and other predator problems. I assume the kennel is chain link. If so, that will not prevent a raccoon from pulling a chicken through a bite at a time, and aviary netting on top won't keep them out either. Additionally, your chickens will pretty quickly turn a 10x10 run to dirt, so unless you are also free-ranging them, you will need to keep things in there to keep them busy, such as scratch, greens, BOSS, etc.

So, the short answer is a 10x10 run is adequate for four hens, but you may have more work to do if that's all you have for them.

UGCM

 

[clothdiaperingmom]

As the pp mentioned them turning it into dirt fast, might you be able to move it around the yard? (I dont know if they are movable or not)