[gowing238]

i read somewhere the minimum square metre per hen for an outdoor hen run but cant find it anywhere? just out of interest does anyone remember!?

[ANHBUC]

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=80184.msg898474;topicseen#msg898474

This post has the information I think you were wanting.

[emmaellis]

Hi,

DEFRA states 1sq m per bird but think that most people here would recommend a minimum of 2sq m per bird.
Don't forget that this space doesn't include the space taken up by feeders etc.
I would dearly love to add to my 3 girls but am limited by their fixed run size. Their welfare comes first and happy hens=happy me!

[BAtoo]

Hi,

DEFRA states 1sq m per bird but think that most people here would recommend a minimum of 2sq m per bird.
Don't forget that this space doesn't include the space taken up by feeders etc.
I would dearly love to add to my 3 girls but am limited by their fixed run size. Their welfare comes first and happy hens=happy me!

Where does DEFRA state 1sq m per bird for pet hens??

[gowing238]

what size is your fixed run then emma?

[min200]

1 sqm is classed as your hens being "free range".

[arugula]

Where does DEFRA state 1sq m per bird for pet hens??

Here:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/publications/files/pb7274-laying-hens-020717.pdf

There is a similar document for regulations regarding meat birds.

[joyfull]

1 sqm is classed as your hens being "free range".

sorry min, but the minimum of pasture land per bird to be classed as free range is 6.05 square yards according to the British Free Range Egg Producers Association. On their website they state a minimum of 1 acre of pasture land per 800 birds (1 acre = 4840 square yards which divided by 800 = 6.05 square yards per bird minimum).


http://www.theranger.co.uk/ranging.asp

[BAtoo]

Where does DEFRA state 1sq m per bird for pet hens??

Here:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/publications/files/pb7274-laying-hens-020717.pdf

There is a similar document for regulations regarding meat birds.

Thanks, but can't see it anywhere in the document - which page??

[min200]

1 sqm is classed as your hens being "free range".

sorry min, but the minimum of pasture land per bird to be classed as free range is 6.05 square yards according to the British Free Range Egg Producers Association. On their website they state a minimum of 1 acre of pasture land per 800 birds (1 acre = 4840 square yards which divided by 800 = 6.05 square yards per bird minimum).


http://www.theranger.co.uk/ranging.asp

Ooops!  my mistake!  Now why did I have that stuck in my head?

[ChristyRose]

My hens have got 8m x 8m =64 sq m?  So, does that mean I can have a maximum of 32 birds?  I wont though!!

[Tony H]

I,m even more confused now iv just red the defra report and all the comments on here but dont understand why battery hens are alowed to be scwashed up in little tiny cages  then on the otherhand they say hens shhould have more space  i think that around 2 sq metters for each bird is right,

[bygrace]

My 4 girls have 5-6 sq m in their fixed run, which includes a platform where they can go on top or under. I hope that's enough for them.

I do try and let them out into an enclosure double that size for a few hours a day under supervision - good for me to have the fresh air and they like the fossicking around!

I just don't have the funds or the space to make a safe run big enough to permanently give them 2sq m each. Am I being unkind?

There doesn't seem to be any pecking and they all make that lovely cooing/gurgling sound!
BG

[ANHBUC]

My 4 girls have 5-6 sq m in their fixed run, which includes a platform where they can go on top or under. I hope that's enough for them.

I do try and let them out into an enclosure double that size for a few hours a day under supervision - good for me to have the fresh air and they like the fossicking around!

I just don't have the funds or the space to make a safe run big enough to permanently give them 2sq m each. Am I being unkind?

There doesn't seem to be any pecking and they all make that lovely cooing/gurgling sound!
BG

Thanks for that bygrace, never heard of fossicking before.  Are you based in Cornwall by any chance?  What a great word.   

[bygrace]

Thanks for that bygrace, never heard of fossicking before.  Are you based in Cornwall by any chance?  What a great word.   
[/quote]

Sorry ANHBUC, not Cornwall (though I'd dearly love to be!). Live in Wiltshire now, but grew up in Hampshire. My parents always used the word (also Hants people) - I had no idea it wasn't general vocab!!