How big a run?

[MrsC]

Hi all

I will be constantly bombarding you with questions now (sorry!) We are in the process of building our hen house and run. I am looking to get 6 girls and would appreciate your expert advice on the size of their new home. Of course the girls when I am at home will be free ranging (after school, weekends and during the hols) but am concerned re - size of enclosed run area while I am not here.

Hope you can help.

Sue x

[RedThorn]

suppose a good starting point would be to ask how big a run can you reasonably build? I seem to remember a minimum of 4 sq ft per bird but could be wrong.

[Hilary B]

a square metre per hen will (just) do if they get some 'free ranging time' every day. If they are likely to be in a lot of the time, double it, more is better.

[MrsC]

Thanks guys!

[Suechooks]

As much room as you can spare! If you have room 2 runs are good both accessible from the coop (I had 2 pop-holes cut one on each side )that way I can have one run resting while they occupy the other. The idea behind that is to minimise internal parasites. I usually worm mine then at the end of the 7 day course I move them into the "clean" run and treat the other one with ***** fluid then lime and sometimes I sow some grass seed or similar.

[Tiny1000]

I've got 6 birds and mine is 9 foot square, but I'm in the process of adding a second run of 12 foot by 9 foot. The original run is fully covered and just big enough to handle them, the second run is going to be open topped and it's for letting them run wild in. (If you got a dog, it probably loves being at home but it needs the run in the park also (hey maybe I should take my hens to the park instead?))

[RichmondHens]

As much room as you can allow them. You can never give a hen too much space!!!!

[bluemoon]

I'd agree, the biggest you can give them. Chickens on telly just seem to wander about, scratching the ground. In reality they run around, play 'rugby' and generally are far more active than you might think.

[RichmondHens]

Our free ranging bantams FLY all over the place! When I let them out in the morning they just take off like helicopters and zoom everywhere.

[HayleyB]

Ditto as much as blah blah...

Our laydees got a rare treat today. They were mocked up a run from the yard to the new 'Duckingham Palace' in the orchard, although CB had to catch a few of the girls to throw them in as they didn't want to leave the 'safe' yard to go to 'dogworld'.........