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[pam771771]

Hi all,

 

So I'm planning to get a couple of pet chickens, and am currently setting up my coup and run.

 

I have a perfect sized space in my garden for the coop and run to go, and I plan to keep my chickens in the run rather then have them free range.

 

2 issues really:

 

1) My run is approx. 190cm x 75cm, I plan to buy medium sized chickens. As I want to keep them in the run all the time, what is the max number of chickens that I should have. I really want 3 but I'm worried that the run is too small and that I should just get 2. What do you think?

 

2) The area that I want to put my coop and run is currently a gravelled area (with pretty large rough gravel). I thought I'd dig out all the gravel as I felt it would be too rough on the chickens feet. However, after some rain all I have now is a big muddy puddle (clearly the drainage is rubbish and the gravel was actually draining the area!!). My plan now is to put the gravel back, and then put on top of the gravel wood chippings. Will this be ok? Or do I need to put down something instead of the gravel? and if so what? Any suggestions welcome, as I'm desperate to go and buy the chickens but obviously I need to sort out their living quarters first!!

 

Thanks

Pam

[jimnpaula]

Yes you can put wood chip on top of the gravel but I would suggest putting a membrane down between so they don't get mixed up, chickens can dig deep holes!

 

As for the size, there is a suggestion for the area per hen ratio, but I can't think offhand what it is - I'm sure someone will be along who does know. You can increase the area a bit by providing surfaces like tables, benches and perches if your run is tall enough.

 

Have a look through the "Eglus, cubes and runs" section for plenty of ideas!

Have fun

 

Paula

[Egghead68]

Your run does sound pretty small. Maybe you could fit in 2 bantams but I strongly suggest you consider allowing supervised free-ranging too.

 

I think the minimum is 1 metre squared per chicken but I may have mis-remembered.

[Olly]

Rule of thumb is around 1m sq per chicken - yours should be ok for 2 hybrids, especially if there is height in it, i.e. can you put perches in for them or things to jump on?

 

They will probably mix the woodchip into the gravel, but you do need the site to be fairly well drained otherwise they will be covered in mud in no time. Could you dig any drain channels around it? Is it roofed?

[Egghead68]

Your run is 1.425 square metres.

 

Therefore it is only big enough to keep ONE chicken in full-time. If you also let them free-range it would be OK for two.

[pam771771]

Hi,

 

Thanks for the replies.

 

What material do I need for a membrane between the gravel and wood chippings?

 

The size needed per hen is pretty confusing as I've read both 1m sq per hen but I've also read 3 sq feet per hen, and if you convert the size to feet it's approximately 5 by 2 aka 10 ft sq, hence being suitable for 3 hen. (And when I bought it, it was actually sold as being suitable for 4 large hens or 8 small ones, however after I've seen it I would definitely put no more then 3 in it).

 

I like the idea of increasing the space by using the height - it is definitely high enough to put in some benches/tables

 

I also plan to only buy small/medium sized hybrids.

 

Thanks again for the replies

[Egghead68]

3-4 sq ft per hen assumes they will also be free-ranging. I've read 10 sq ft per hen (approx 1 square metre) if they are confined to the run.