To free range or not to free range

[Newfarmer36]

The general guidelines for space is about 4 sq ft per bird in the coop and at least 10 sq ft of run space per bird. Integrating new birds requires about twice the recommended guidelines to reduce territorial aggression.

Ok! Thank you!

 

[Mr Pink]

Seems to me that the problem with free ranging is complacency ... while I'm sure no one wants to lose a single bird many folks free range with no losses for awhile and start to figure it's never gonna happen then BAM ! get hit with a 6 - 8 bird loss to dog or whatever !!!

Keeping losses to a minimum requires eternal vigilance and being able to except the fact that there is always the possibility of losing a few birds .. as stated above it's always prudent to have a backup plan .

 

[aart]

If you provide them with 20 square feet of space per bird, or more, they will also always have grass available.

By providing 20-50 square feet of space per bird in the run, they can have access to grass without destroying the area.

50 might do it depending on climate and vegetation.
I have 20 and no veg left.

 

[Newfarmer36]

50 might do it depending on climate and vegetation.
I have 20 and no veg left.

I'm in Louisiana so it usually doesn't get below 15-20 degrees. And it doesn't stay that way long. As for vegetation, my property is mostly grass.

 

[Welshies]

50 might do it depending on climate and vegetation.
I have 20 and no veg left.

Really? My neighbour does 20 and maintains her run well. She has grass, but bairly.
After I expand my run I'll have 800 square feet for 12 birds.

 

[Newfarmer36]

Really? My neighbour does 20 and maintains her run well. She has grass, but bairly.
After I expand my run I'll have 800 square feet for 12 birds.

Jeez! That's alot!! I'm going, this afternoon, to pick up 2 more chickens. My husband said, "I have a bad feeling that this is gonna turn into a problem with you!". Lol! Anyway, so, I'm gonna have to build a bigger coop before too long and a much bigger run. The one I have now if more like a little fenced in area.

 

[Welshies]

Jeez! That's alot!! I'm going, this afternoon, to pick up 2 more chickens. My husband said, "I have a bad feeling that this is gonna turn into a problem with you!". Lol! Anyway, so, I'm gonna have to build a bigger coop before too long and a much bigger run. The one I have now if more like a little fenced in area.

Yeah, it is a lot, but my chickens will love it. It'll go from one anthill to five.
And yes, chicken math is a serious problem... we all suffer...

 

[GC-Raptor]

I have a 500 square foot pen and 5 Golden Comets scratched up and ate all the grass and weeds in 2 1/2 months.

. The lawn was established over fifty years. GC

 

[Welshies]

I have a 500 square foot pen and 5 Golden Comets scratched up and ate all the grass and weeds in 2 1/2 months. View attachment 1229433 . The lawn was established over fifty years. GC

Wow! That's crazy.

 

[Newfarmer36]

Yeah, it is a lot, but my chickens will love it. It'll go from one anthill to five.
And yes, chicken math is a serious problem... we all suffer...

Lol!! My poor husband! His poor wallet!