Omlet Smart Autodoor - New in box

[Bluebellbird]

Hi there,

 

I just wanted to know how much space chickens need? I have an omlet cube which is inside a fixed run 6mx2m. I have kept 5 chickens in there in recent months and as they aren't laying many eggs between them I decided to get a few more. I put my name on the waiting list for 2 exbattery hens, which are meant to be coming to me at the end of this month, but in that time, a local farmer was 'getting rid' of 8 chickens, I took on the last 3 that he could find homes for. I now don't know if I have the space for the 2 exbattery hens. I know that they will have space inside for sleeping as they all cuddle up together at night, I just want to know if the outside space I have will be enough to keep them happy, I live in town so they wouldn't be able to freerange the rest of the garden.

 

Any advise will be greatly received

 

Thanks

 

Rosie

[squiffs]

12 square metres is the 'ideal' (minimum, really) amount of space for 12 chickens, and I wouldn't want them in the run 24/7. So in theory your run should be okay for 10 chickens, if you put lots of things in to keep them amused, perches, toys, etc, and ideally let them out when you can. Why would they not be able to free range outside the run space?

[jackian]

I know I only have 3 girls and a 4 m x 3 m WIR run , but I have only a very small garde n ... and I mean small and live in a terrace block ) My girls are out of the run every spare moment that I am home , they probably have an extra 8m x 4m and they just love it So could they not FR while you are home?

[jennym]

10 hens in a 12 square metre run is fine, but I would enrich the run as previously mentioned, with perches, ladders, toys etc. They especially like perches up high. Several spread-out feeding stations would be a good idea, so there aren't 10 of them scrabbling over 1 feeder. Sharing 2 nest boxes might cause some disagreements too, maybe you could put something else in the run as a spare nest box for the poor, desperate hen at the bottom of the pecking order who's crossing her legs in the queue?

 

They always appreciate a bit of FR time as well, it's amazing how even just a short time out seems to make them more content when they go back in the run (mine usually settle down for a good preen/rest when they return). I'm struggling with that at the moment as the evenings are dark so early, but they appreciate it even more on weekends

[squiffs]

I've got 7 girls in a 3m cube, and they have 3 perches, 2 feeders and 1 nest box

 

AND free range time on the weekend (and evenings when it's lighter)

[chickanne]

I agree with jennym. Chickens cannot count. They do "some" and none". Even 5 mins out of the run whilst you put the food back in and change the water seems to make a difference to them. Lots of little breaks are probably the best for them but like many people, I work full time so winter is a bit lean for them. Which explains why I let them into the kitchen so they get treats and I get cuddles.........

 

I also agree they like to be up high in a small space so they can see what is going on.

[Bluebellbird]

Thank you for all you replies, they have been very helpful. The only reason I am unable to freerange them is because my garden is very open and right next to a main road(their run takes up most of the garden anyway), there is no way I can enclose my garden to make it chicken proof because my neighbors over look our garden and we are not allowed to obstruct their view with higher fences. The fixed run they are in is also 6m high any they often jump on top of the eglu and nose into next doors garden! Does anybody have any ideas/photos of toys? My other half has build them a few perches and they have their dust bath and we often hang greens up for them, but we are always looking for new ideas to keep them entertained.

[counturchickens]

I've just posted about using a treat ball filled with mealworms, went down a storm!

[Sammiboo]

I've got 7 girls in a 3m cube, and they have 3 perches, 2 feeders and 1 nest box

 

AND free range time on the weekend (and evenings when it's lighter)

 

thats pretty much same as mine. 8 chicken but currently 7 (ones living in the kitchen)