How much room??

[grahama]

Hi all,

I was wondering just how much room I need to keep chickens. I don't have a big garden only, (chicken space),5m x5m. Is this too small for a few chickens?

Many thanks,

Graham

[Nicos]

Hi there- and welcome to the Vine!

Mine free range-so I'm not too sure on space....
BUT....

Have you thought of some of the smaller breeds of chook?
OK- the eggs are smaller- but if you're wanting more than you really have space for , then you could manage a few extra of the smaller varieties.
..just a thought!

[glasgowdan]

Graham,

I would happily keep a number of chickens with 5x5m... say up to 6-8 of them comfortably. Mind build in a dry area with dust baths and a reasonably sized coop (maybe 4x6ft)

[MaureenHall]

Hi and welcome Graham I'd definitely say "go for it" it'll be one of the best decisions you ever made!!!

[motherhen]

Hens may be kept, in a relatively small space, its the husbandry that is more important. If they are to be kept more confined or even on a permanent spot then they should have a deep litter in their run to give them something to play in, a covered run is a good idea as birds do not really like wet. If their ranging is limited then the diet becomes more important and the necessity to keep their lives as interesting as possible. Had you thought of a small moveable ark, this keeps them on a fresh area, and can be a useful addition to your veggie garden, mine used to move around the raised beds on the grassed paths in the summer and on the empty beds to scratch, before they were put to bed. As they were confined to the house they could do no damage to the garden plants. If not an electric fencing kit would fence the area for you with a house inside. The birds with the most laid back character, and ideal for the first time keeper with limited space, is the commercial hybrid,
easy to keep, tend not to go broody or stop laying in the winter, with the correct care will lay an egg a day!

[chicken_house_man]

For a permenant run I work on 1 bird / square meter as a nice size run. You probably don't need to use the full 5x5m area for your choocks although they will quite happily have as much space as you can offer. A covered run will make life much easier for you as it reduces the amount of wet muck you'll be working in and the chickens will keep cleaner so easier to handle.

[grahama]

Thanks all,

just have to work on the misses !! How do they get on with cats around btw ??

Graham

[Nicos]

Thanks all,

just have to work on the misses !! How do they get on with cats around btw ??

Graham

They'll soon put the kitty in it's place!!

[Bramble-Poultry]

we have four cats - they stay away from the hens after they got a good pecking. i would suggest though that if you have cats (especially female ones as they are the best hunters) that you stay away from the delicate tiny bantams such as belgians as they are about pigeon sized and our cats bring down wood pigeons..........

but if you are keeping the hens in a confined run with a roof over, the cats shouldnt get in anyways.