chicken run

[Wendy]

I am planning to get 3 chickens soon!!!, i am an absolute beginner but have worked out where they are gonna go and how to make their house, the thing is i dont know how long to make their run - i guess as big as poss but i have limited space and dont want them to be unhappy. The space i have for the run is about 15 feet lomg by 4 feet narrowing to two feet at the end. Will they be ok in there??

[Birdie Wife]

Hi Wendy,
Congrats on your new chickens, what are you getting?

That should be ample, for three chickens you should aim for a minimum of 3sq ft each, so that makes 9, and you've got 15 x 3 (average) = 45. Are they on grass? If yes, you might want to consider dividing the area into 2 as the area they scrath around on will be devoid of vegetation and probably quite muddy within a few months. If you can divide the run and move the house onto a fresh patch then you can refresh the scratching area every 6 months or so.

[yoanbob]

I agree with BW if its a permanatly sited run i would split it, seems mean at first but the chooks will benifit in the long run they really will distroy all the grass, you could try 4 weeks each side, that should give the ground time to recover.

[Wendy]

Hi thanks for your replies
Their house and run will actually be on concrete and fenced in, i was thinking of putting some bark and wood chips on the floor of the run. In the daytime when i am at home i'm thinking of letting them out on the grass but im a bit worried they may get out of my garden or fly the fence onto the road!!

Not sure what type of chickens to get yet - we want them for eggs and as pets - i'd appriciate any ideas or suggestions

[Prickety-prackety]

Hi Wendy
I would recommend Buff Orphingtons, lovely birds and you have plenty of space, they lay good large eggs and if you let them out to grass the yolk will be huge and orange. They will also need a dust bath, you can make one and they enjoy it all year round, it keep their feathers clear of mites so healthy too.
I wouldnt worry about them flying especially orphingtons but do make sure the fence is robust at the base or they might just wonder off.
Have fun.

[daisychook]

Hi Wendy
We got our first three chooks last year, a cream legbar, speckled sussex and a welsummer. They are fab. We are vegetarian and got them as pets/eggs too. They are such fun. we have been in the garden all afternoon (I say garden, as we didnt listen, and now have a dirt garden, rather than the lush lawn (we have now sorted a permenent pen)!!! We put down lots of hardwood chips from B&Q rather than bark, as the bark goes to mush in the rain and isnt pleasant. Ours also like live bio yoghurt mixed with muesili as a treat every few days - they absolutely love it, and it keeps their poo nice and healthY!!!!

I didnt really want chooks, as I couldnt see the point. Am now a complete addict and love them to bits!!!!

Hope you enjoy yours too!!
Tracey