What do YOU feel is the minimum space per bird?

[asher]

A friend and I were talking about this last night. I am amazed at the differences in opinion throughout the chicken community.

So what do YOU personally feel is the minimum space per bird? Not what the books say, but what you personally feel.

 

[PurpleChicken]

This topic had been discussed, debated, and argued a lot. In this case I say don't do
a search, you will only get frustrated.

My opinion:
My laying flock's area of my barn is small at 12x3 which works out to 1.5 feet of
coop space per bird. They have a run which is 6x24 which gives them an extra
6 ft per bird. Plus they range in about a 1/4 acre of hill/brush/woods for an hour
or two before sundown each night. They seem happy enough to me. When in
the coop they all cram into one half anyways.

So it all depends on you and your birds.

 

[Davaroo]

MORE. Whatever you have, make it more.

Want numbers? Sure, everyone does, right?

4 sq. ft /bird in the coop. The coop is for laying and roosting. That is sufficient.
100 sq ft/bird in the yard. Or MORE. The chicken himself tells you this by his actions. Anything less is doable, but involves ever increasing management challenges. When I went to fewer birds in less space, everything improved.
I ALSO suggest paddock rotation, with cultivation between yardings.

But that is getting complicated. All you really need to know is one word: MORE.

 

[HorseFeathers]

As much as you can give them. If you really are obsessed (like me, unfortunatly NOT my mom) you could let them into your house and yard- or buy 200 acres to accomodate them... that's just me daydreaming!

 

[MissPrissy]

I have 23 hens living in 500+ sq ft of barn and as much outdoor run. They seem happy and have room to run, fly, dust bathe, etc. They sleep in about 3 sq ft of roost. They don't use over half the barn space for the most part. I don't like minimums.

 

[Davaroo]

I don't like minimums.

I do like that comment. It should be framed.​

 

[asher]

Quote:
I do like that comment. It should be framed.

I agree. hehe I have to tell that to my husband next time he tells me how many birds he thinks I should stop at. (He hasn't tried that since I got my own job! hehe)

 

[Davaroo]

Whats a Jersey Woolie?

 

[TundraChick]

Its a rabbit

 

[Wildsky]

I think it should also depend on where you live.

For example someone in a warmer climate, could get away with happy chickens in a smaller space than someone in a cold climate.

I have 7 square feet of floor space per chicken. I'm in a cold climate - zone 4 for gardening...

NEBRASKA and the girls don't like to come out much when there is snow all over the ground!