[Bren200]

We are buying the solway smart hen house aswell as buying a run. The size of the run is 12 ft x 9 ft. The hen house will go inside the run. How many hens can we get with this size run.

[JaK]

10 hens would be very happy in a run that size.

[Bren200]

Thank you.

[ANHBUC]

It depends on what you consider to be enough clear floor space per bird (not counting where feeders/drinkers and the coop stands).  Some say 1m square per bird and others 3m square per bird.  That would be either 10 or 3 birds allowing around 3m squared for coop etc.  If they are going to be in the run permanently I would personally only keep 4 large fowl or 6 bantams in a run that size.  I they are allowed to freerange regularly you could have 10 LF or 12 bantams. 

The more space they have the happier and healthier they will be.      

[Sassy]

I agree with ANHBUC. If you were not allowing them to free range I feel you would start to get behavioural problems and possibly illness. Backyard keepers usually have much happier and healthier hens than commercial keepers because they have more space. 10 hens will produce an awful lot of eggs!

[ANHBUC]

I agree with ANHBUC. If you were not allowing them to free range I feel you would start to get behavioural problems and possibly illness. Backyard keepers usually have much happier and healthier hens than commercial keepers because they have more space. 10 hens will produce an awful lot of eggs!

Not to mention twice as much poo.   

[JaK]

 ANHBUC, You make the poop sound like a bad thing when it is fantastic stuff! Perfect for the garden or other peoples gardens, so good that shops sell it by the tub. 

[ANHBUC]

The shops aren't the ones that have to collect it though or keep the patio free of their lovely fertiliser.   

[Bren200]

We was only going to get 5 hybrid hens. Is that ok?

[ANHBUC]

I would stick to 4 if you are wanting to just keep them in the run and not have them freerange regularly.  This is just my opinion though, hens are kept in smaller areas so it is down to the owner.  If you are a first time poultry keeper it is probably best not to start off too big.   

[Bren200]

Ok thank you. We are planning on them going free range as soon as we get the back fence done.

[ANHBUC]

You will have to keep an eye on them when freeranging.  If they are young birds (large fowl) I have found that they like to fly more in their first year.  Probably as they are still not fully grown but in their second year they mature in size so are not as agile.  I had a Black Rock that could fly straight up to a branch 7 feet off the ground (like a harrier jump jet).   

[Bren200]

WOW, even with clipped wings. Are hybrid hens a good starter bird ?

[ANHBUC]

I don't clip a wing as I want them to be able to fly away from danger if needed.  If you do clip just do one wing which will put them out of balance.  It didn't stop my turkeys though when I had them they still managed to fly.   

I went for the original Black Rocks as I wanted a hardy breed which paid off.  The problems I have had were with the Bovan Goldline, there breeding seems to be for egg production rather than a stronger bird.  I have put a link to all the official people who can sell genuine Black Rocks HERE

 

[Bren200]

Thank you for your help & advise. I will look at the link you have.