[Ben_H]

Poo picking has probably been at least 2 out of 3 days but not every day because of life getting in the way.

Grass is not patchy, it's all gone brown though bizarrely I just took a couple of photos over the top of the fence and when I looked at them they come out far greener on the screen than they do to my eye. Mind you we had a small amount of rain this morning so maybe the grass has had a (super speedy) growth spurt.

[ANHBUC]

Have you been watering the grass in the very dry weather?  If not this could also be part of the problem.  It helps to water down the poo which then acts as a fertilizer rather than it burning the grass so you need to do it in dry conditions.   

[Ben_H]

Only impromptu watering when I spill the drinker everywhere. I will start doing it at night after the girls are in bed. Haven't done it so far as the general garden grass is still quite green without watering.

[ANHBUC]

If you haven't had rain the hens will appreciate you watering as it will encourage the worms to surface.   

[Lindeggs]

Dominic, I agree that the 'minimum space per hen' idea is a very very rough guide only.  It depends on so many other things than just area. 

I like the idea of estimating it based on the wear and tear caused by the hens, but even that is still open to a lot of variation. Obviously the type of grass, type of soil, irrigation and climate are all going to make a big difference.

I would also add the need for an 'enriched' environment for the hens.  If you have lots of places where they can get out of each others' way, lots of vertical space so they can hop on and off perches, big piles of leaves and mulch that they can dig through, then I'm sure the hens will be happier and healthier than if they were in exactly that same floor area with just bare dirt.

It's a bit frustrating when people ask "how many hens can I keep in this space" or "how much space do I need to allow per hen."  Unfortunately there is no straight answer.  But there is also no better way of expressing the question.

Please continue with your "observations on space" and let us know when you find the perfect formula! 

[joyfull]

well put Lindeggs 

[Dominic]

ANH
Dry?
Not in Manchester.....

Lindeggs
I was classing Grass as "enrichment".
My rule was more to protect the grass than pleasing the chickens, but they much prefer being on grass to dirt (although someone could prehaps tell mine that)

They've been on it a week, and damage is starting to show, a bit, should have two more weeks before I consider another move.

[Lindeggs]

Mine seem to prefer quite a mix of surfaces.  They like grass (and other greenery) for eating, especially for breakfast.  They like dry, fine dirt for dust-bathing in, and slightly damp humus for scratching for bugs. 

They also seem to enjoy the rustle of dry leaves.  One of mine was scratching at a dry banana leaf today - there was nothing edible in it but it made a very satisfying sound as she tore it to shreds with her beak and claws.

Mine also like to stand on timber rails for their regular mid-afternoon preen and gossip session.

So shall we say you need (for each chicken) approximately half a square metre of dry, dusty stuff; half a sq metre of damp, mossy stuff; 1 sq metre of green, grassy stuff; plus somewhere to roost at night, a clean dry nest box to lay her eggs, and a high vantage-point on which to stand while preening?

[Newbie]

I'm afraid mine have no grass, it lasted about 3 weeks when we got the first 4 of them.  They have a fixed run that goes up the side of the house, about 20ft by 3 foot and that opens up into an area about 6ft x 6ft.  Not sure what that works out in sq metres but I do think that it depends on the breed of hens as to how long any grass will last. 
Ours have a lovely dusty area which is very dry as under a conifer hedge and we always give them the grass clipping off the lawn (they get very excited when they see the lawn mower!)  They love to pick through this and eat it and after a few days when it starts to rot down they scrat around and pick all the bugs out.  Every few months I dig it over and bag it up to use on the garden, it's very good stuff!!

[woodburner]

I'm puzzled by the suggestions that defra recomend a min of 1 sqm per hen. Could someone one provide a link, please?
AFAICT there is a requirement for no more than 9 birds per sqm of coop(for free range) or barn space. For free range there is an additional requirement for a minimum of 4sqm per bird, of run space with other additional requirements for the quality of the space. Nowhere can I find any reference to 1sqm per hen of anything. 

[Fisherman]

As I grow a lot of veg I throw any surplus brassicas, lettuce, spinach etc. to the chickens and find that they eat this rather than trashing the grass. The chicken run stays in good condition for 3 to 4 months before it needs moving to a new location and even then the run recovers in less than a month. A dust bath also helps as it stops them scratching and digging one. The run needs raking every week or so which also helps to keep it in good condition.

[Ben_H]

Do you rake to remove dried poo or for another reason?

[Fisherman]

Rake it to remove any old veg stalks and dried chicken droppings which all go on the compost heap to be used the following growing season when rotted down. Raking also gets some air into the grass where its well trodden which helps keep it dry and growing.

[Dominic]

Well, they've been on the new patch two weeks, and damage is definatly starting to show in some areas, mostly where I throw the corn, but the other half is going well.
Intending to move them this weekend, and I will take pictures this time for before, during and after shots.