how many chickens?

[pumpkin cuddler]

Hello,

I am very interested in keeping a few chickens, but I am not really sure how much space I need for them.

The space that I have is approximately five feet by five and a half feet and about eight feet tall. Is this about right for four chickens? They would be allowed out into the garden but only when we are home. So not totally free ranging.

I live in Norfolk and am not sure where is the best place to find them.

I have heard about people who rescue the chickens from battery farms but am not sure if this is a good choice.

The idea of having them is for the eggs and the pleasure of having them around.

Thanks

[poultrychat]

Hello pumpkin cuddler - nice name

I think you would be pushing it to have 4 chickens in that sort of space, I think it would cause problems with pecking as they would get bored. It is a shame that the space is 8ft high rather than long - is there anyway you could extend that run? There are loads of places in Norfolk to find chickens so I wouldn't worry about that side of things but I do think you ought to extend the run a bit first, have you got a house sorted?

[pumpkin cuddler]

I have looked at the area and re-measured. I can go to eight feet by six feet by the same eight feet high. It is amazing how much space one can find just by clearing up old junk. Does this give enough spacing for four chickens??

If it is still too small how many chickens would you recommend for this spacing. The idea i had was to have all the floor space cleared and the nesting area on raised legs with a ladder/slope for the chickens to get in and out.
Thanks

[Palustris]

The normal space ratio is about a square metre/yard per hen. The only trouble with a fixed run like this is that they will very soon be walking around on bare soil. If you can let them wander the garden for as much time as possible it is better for them.
I am not a great believer in rescued hens, they are often exhausted by their ordeal and laying is poor and sporadic. By all means rescue them, but do not expect as much as you would get from new ones. For eggs ISA Browns or Warrens are the best layers.

[Squirrel]

I have looked at the area and re-measured. I can go to eight feet by six feet by the same eight feet high. It is amazing how much space one can find just by clearing up old junk. Does this give enough spacing for four chickens??

The size you quote is the floor size of my covered run. I keep six med sized chickens in there. Their house is above them (3 x 8 ft) and then they are let out as well. I would think they will be ok in that size as long as you take care that they do not get bored or stressed. Ideally four hens would be better in 8 x 6 if you are letting them out into the garden as well now and then.