Part 0800.0005

[mum2boys]

Hi, I am looking at moving my hens from back garden to allotment which will mean they can have more space and I can increase my flock Currently my 2 hens (we've just lost one ) have a run of 9ft by 4ft plus are able to free range in the garden most of the time but due to foxes I am looking at a fixed run and no free-ranging so hoping to get the biggest WIR I can afford and have space for.

 

I am looking at the 12x9 (x6 ft high) run from bay animal housing http://www.bay-animal-housing.co.uk/Products.html and it will be stood straight onto the ground (no concrete etc allowed, can't be a permanent fixture so I need to know I can dismantle easily if need be).

 

How many hens could I comfortably have in this space? I am thinking of increasing to 6 hens but would like space to get a couple more if wanted!

 

I understand that foxes can dig under runs so how best could I reduce this ? I have been told that a wire mesh skirt pegged down underneath and along the outside of the run would be ok - has anyone done this? or is it totally unrealistic?

 

thanks in advance for any advice

 

M2B

[Helly Welly]

Hi

 

I've pm'd you but forgot to say that we had 10 chickens in a 12ft by 12ft WIR and they were quite happy. Because of the height you can add perches and mezzanines to increase the floor space.

[mum2boys]

Will pm you xx

[Plum]

These runs come as panels so its a matter of undoing the screws and that depends how many you put it

 

Minimum area is said to be 1 sq m a chicken so guess maximum of 12 but I have 11x 7 with 3 by that calculation I could have 8 ish but I feel that would be very overcrowded.