Tips for helping chickens live a long, healthy life?

[onvirginiasoil]

I think there are many different conceptions and definitions of "free ranging". I don't think it has to mean they are open in unconstrained, endless fields. My favorite definition is that they have a minimum of 25 square feet of roaming space per bird.

Mine currently have 35 square feet per bird, which will be expanded to 60 square feet. They are still surrounded with fencing, and covered with a combination of shade cloth and aviary netting.

In my minimal experience, birds that have the chance to have at least this minimum of ranging space seem more content and less prone to stress than birds with the stated minimum of 10' per bird. And it seems reasonable that happier birds lend themselves to longer lived birds. I'd love to give them even more space, but the predator pressure in my area is too great.


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I have LOTS of space (though we live on only about 20 acres of it), and it is regularly patrolled by my 5 large-breed protective dogs, but I cannot imagine any chicken on the planet being unhappy with the paradise you have created for yours. It's a feast for the eyes. If I lived in more urban surroundings, I'd try to re-create what you've done. My compliments.