chicken-drummer Posted April 17, 2008 Share Posted April 17, 2008 Hi All, Our chickens are arriving next week and I'm having a bit of a flap! We've ordered a cube with a 3m run - we were initially going to get 3 chickens from omlet but have now asked for 4. I'm now wondering if we've done the right thing. The cube will be on a permanent site and we will let the chickens free-range when we are at home (in the evenings and on weekends). Will they have enough space? I've seen all the posts on bullying and the recommendations that chickens should ideally have 1sq m of space each. In our set up the total space would be 3.12 sq m - so .78 sp m per chicken. Should we go for 3 or 4? Id really appreciate your advice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedusA Posted April 17, 2008 Share Posted April 17, 2008 I would have thought 4 in a cube is fine. Have you added the floor space of the cube into your calculations? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 17, 2008 Share Posted April 17, 2008 4 will be very happy in a cube with the extended run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken-drummer Posted April 17, 2008 Author Share Posted April 17, 2008 Thanks - I think I just needed some reassurance All the threads about pecking have worried me - I hadn't realised chickens could be so aggressive . I want to try and minimise the chances of any problems! I hadn't thought to include the floor space of the cube itself - I'd just measured the run space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted April 17, 2008 Share Posted April 17, 2008 I've got 5 in a cube with one extension - they are fine. I'm thinking about another extension for the winter, because when the days are shorter I cannot give mine much free-ranging time, but at the moment they are fine and seem very happy. I think 4 will have plenty of space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLK69 Posted April 17, 2008 Share Posted April 17, 2008 I think you should be fine I have 5 in a cube with an extension and a bit of free ranging 3 days and pretty much out other 4 days - garden a state - but every one including me happy. Chicken poo is good for the soul ???? guffaw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...