[chrisholmes]

Hi,

Thinking about getting a couple of chickens. Just wondering how much space they would need in an enclosed run if they had to spend all their time in there and were not let out to 'free-range'. I understand that free-range would be much better and always preferable but if this were not possible and they had to be 'contained' 24/7, how much space would keep two chickens happy and not bored?

Thanks,

Chris

[GrannieAnnie]

Hi Chris, if you've got enough room, we usually recommend 3 chickens, then if one dies on you, you won't have just one chicken left.  they are flock animals and love company!

Minimum space in a run is 1 sq metre,, but if you look at a square metre, it isn't much, so we try to say at least 2 sq metres per bird, more if you can.  And 1 sq foot per bird minimum in the coop, but again twice if you can.

also if the run is too small, and it can't be moved around, you've got to watch for the run getting smelly.  good thing if you can cover say half the run to give the birds somewhere dry to dustbathe even when all around is wet!

[karlooben]

i would say let them have as much room as poss even if its an enclosed run where they will spend al thier time , there is loads of things u can add to stop boredom as well so when building a run take those into account things like odd level perches an tree stumps u will find the birds will enjoy them .

[Bonniebean]

I have four chickens in a 20' x 6' run, and sometimes I can't see them!

[hillfooter]

I have four chickens in a 20' x 6' run, and sometimes I can't see them!

I have the same problem with my chx but usually after a night on the real ale!

But to answer the question if you are going to use the same ground longterm think carefully about the base and choose one that is easy to change periodically and keep clean.  I would suggest a concrete sub-base of at least 2sq metres per bird covered with 10 -15cm of woodland  mulch or wood chips or possibly bark if it's kept dry and there's plenty of ventilation.  Other aggregate bases are ok like gravel but must be free draining.  As others have said it's best too cover it and corrigated roof board such as Onduline or other clear or bitumen board is OK.  If clear plastic ensure it has shade.  Avoid roofing felt. Raise the house so that underneath is usable.   Try for as much space as you can  or have different levels and really regard 2 sq mtrs per bird as the absolute minimum and try to make it square or at least not long and narrow and don't have more than a max of 4 birds in these conditions.
HF

[chrisholmes]

Hi,

Just wanted to say thanks for all your comments and to let you know that in addition to the self contained coop+run (2sqM) I've decided to build an extension with a floor area of around 4sqM and fill it with tree stumps, branches, fresh grown grass etc so hopefully my chickens will be better off for your advice.

Thanks again all.

[Flowerpower136]

My girls have to be confined to their pen full time, , but they are fine and still have a good old time, busy busy from dawn till dust.

I'm on fairly free draining soil, their pen being right on the top of a rock face, so they just have bare earth, and absolutely love it, because they love to dig.  Huge amounts of earth moving goes on every single day.

I've also managed to cover my run with opaque corregated plastic, and would recommend this if you can do it.  Makes for a much pleasanter winter, and keeping the soil reasonably dry stops everything becoming smelly and nasty.

I've got my compost bays in the pen, and they provide hours of entertainment for the girls.  They have to check through every tubibrug of stuff that's taken in, and then check through the compost I'm taking out,  just to be sure I'm not smuggling worms, you know!

They also got a sand filled tyre as a dust bath, which they like to dig in, but do make a lot of their own dust baths whever the fancy takes them.  Branch perches, also good.  Gives them a better view of what's going on.  Ditto tree stumps.

Grass didn't last, but they do get the lawn clippings to throw around and eat, and I might treat them to the odd roll of turf.

Best of all, if your've room, make sure you've somewhere to sit in the pen.  I spend hours in there just sitting and watching and talking to them.  Because of the roof, it's even nice in the rain. They become very tame and will have your shoe laces undone in no time, and try to steal your buttons, and check for goodies up your sleeves, etc.

Happy days

[beulah59]

Aww! 

[hillfooter]

O!!!  flowerpower just noticed their green grit box has gone missing and their nice posh drinker has been replaced by a cheap old planter saucer!  You haven't been purloining them for your own culinary purposes on your sunflower seat have you??

HF

[Flowerpower136]

O!!!  flowerpower just noticed their green grit box has gone missing and their nice posh drinker has been replaced by a cheap old planter saucer!  You haven't been purloining them for your own culinary purposes on your sunflower seat have you??

HF

Tut!  As if I would do such a thing.  Though I am very fond of my seat, stows away neatly on top of the coop to keep clean, and lovely and soft to sit on.
If you are comparing photos look at the grass and work out which was taken first!