Which Breeds Tend to Need More Space?

[3KillerBs]

I'm working on an article about chickens' space needs and have hit a point where I *know* in general that some breeds need more space than others for various reasons but I don't know any specifics. The "tolerates confinement" note in the hatchery catalogs only goes so far.

Which breeds, in your experience, seem to need more elbow room in order to keep the flock happy and minimize the kind of behavioral problems seen with overcrowding?

Or, are generally more active and just seem to require more space to accommodate their energy?

 

[Perris]

My Barbezieux roo doesn't really fit a coop designed for large fowl and accommodates the rest just fine; he's enormous. I imagine it might be similar with Brahma, Jersey Giants and other breeds described as very large. Leads only to a tatty tail, not behavioural issues, in his case (mine free range dawn to dusk).

 

[Silviaschicks]

My BR doesn't mind the normal amount of space, but she always loves free-ranging and being outside. I assume this means BRs like bigger spaces

 

[SarahGfa]

gamefowl need more space. they need so much space they can't see each other, especially the males.

 

[3KillerBs]

Any more input?

 

[Auntiejessi3]

My large birds are pretty chill,(except my brahma right now, lol) but my WTB is a busy body, always on the move, same with my olive egger, they are extreme foragers per say

 

[U_Stormcrow]

My SLW are stupid energetic, and my best escapees. You know my runs, and my pasture, are much bigger than the minimum recommends - I don't have any behavior problems - but first thing in the AM as I wander out with coffee, if a bird has jumped out of the run in impatience, chances are, its ALL of my SLWs, while the rest (mostly) wait patiently for me to open the gate.

I can't imagine how they would behave confined, but I imagine it would not be well.

My Brahma, though large and very predator aware (particularly overhead!) are "sedate". Royal, even. They may need a little room on the roost bar for their fat feathered asses, but they don't seem to need extra in the run.

 

[3KillerBs]

if a bird has jumped out of the run in impatience, chances are, its ALL of my SLWs

My SLW is the one who will go under the fence -- a champion digger. It's the California White who flies out at will.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I thought about mentioning my other birds, but as they are all either hybrids or barnyard mixes, I had no other "breed" info to add.

 

[SarahGfa]

The flighty skittish breeds probably need more space. I had some barnyard leghorn mixes that would flush or fly into a wall when startled.