[chuckmum]

How many chickens do you think can I keep part time (as they free range 3-4 days a week) in a 5m x 2m run?

[beulah59]

Technically 10 as they are supposed to have 1 sq m each available space. But I have 8 hens in a 4x4m run, and I'd not like to leave them in there full time. So how about 5 or 6?

What are you thinking of getting? 

[Roughlee Handled]

I would say 3-4 the more space the better for them.  I have 4.5 sq m  for my girls and they free range for 2 days a week and have still turned from grass to mud.

[ehs284]

Mine think sq m means square miles.

[Caralou]

I'm going to have 2sqm per bird in my run, but they do (and will continue to) free range every day and will only be confined to the run when I am on holiday or not getting home before dusk. The more space the better so I would say no more than 5 birds in a 5x2 run 

[Sassy]

Mine think sq m means square miles.

 

I have 5 chickens within a 50m poultry net and have wall to wall mud!!

[Elcie]

Advice is 1sq m per hen but most people advocate more space than that, usually 2sq m is the general thoughts on here.

Just a thought - does anyone ever consider height as well?  I would have thought that a smaller run that allows some movement up and down, eg through ladders or different levels, would be better than a larger run that has no movement upwards.  But do others agree?  Don't think I have seen this discussed on here (but could be wrong!)

The reason I ask is that we are currently building a run and they girls will have a dustbath included (an old plastic paddling pool.  Have decided to raise this up off the floor and put on top of a table with a ladder going up as this allows them the space of the dustbath and the space underneath too.  In effect 'adding' space.

[Roughlee Handled]

Be careful are you building a launch pad for your chickens to jump out of the run?

I have built a couple of perching bars  seen below to the left.

[Caralou]

I'm also adding levels into my run, but the run itself will be covered with mesh so they wont be able to leap out. A few different level perches and I'm including an old shed in the run with no door (but a 2ft high kick panel so they don't kick the hemcore out into the run itself which will be rubber chippings with weed control mesh beneath) as this will act as a covered play area for them when it's cold and wet with a dust bath in and also somewhere to escape the ducks from if they are picking on them as it will be a run for both chooks & ducks (the ducks don't care when it's cold and wet!). My 2msq is taking into account the structures within it and it will be 6ft high so should be a little chook/duck palace for them 

[Elcie]

Yes, sorry, I should have made it clear - the run will be completely covered so they won't be able to escape by jumping up and over the sides.  My two in the garden love jumping up onto the table or the shed so that is what gave me the idea for having different levels.  Gives them exercise when jumping up to the different levels and provides more overall floor space for them too - win/win situation.

[SUTTY1]

i think different levels helps keep them occupied. (perches, wheel barrows, ladders etc) Although seemingly small brained and thick they are inquisitive, if kept occupied in the run there appears to be less pecking and fighting!
Caralou i am curious why use weed-fabric in run? my chicks eat them all even though they free range lots

[Caralou]

I'm using rubber chippings the benefit of which is that when they get poop on them I can wash down the run with a jeyes fluid mix and the mesh helps to prevent the chippings getting lost below in the mud/soil. The girls can still eat all the weeds they want in the rest of the garden 

Here is where the rubber chippings are coming from - I can highly recommend them. http://www.mud-management.co.uk/

[SUTTY1]

Thats looks like a great idea!!!!!

Too tired or too much vino last night could only think "why would weeds be a problem in the run" didnt think off it keeping mud and rubber seperate!!