Roksteddie Posted December 23, 2016 Share Posted December 23, 2016 After our recent tragedy where we lost all 3 of our girls we're now looking at getting a different mix of breeds so we're not directly reminded of our originals. We've managed to narrow it down to 4 breeds that we REALLY want and are unable to bring the choice down to just 3. We have a go up with the 1m extension which seemed a good size for our previous 3. We're wondering if anyone has kept/is keeping 4 in the same set up. The fourth bird would be a white star/ranger so is quite small... Are we better off forcing ourselves to whittle the number down to 3 or will 4 be ok? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted December 23, 2016 Share Posted December 23, 2016 Under normal conditions, how much time do they spend in the run? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roksteddie Posted December 23, 2016 Author Share Posted December 23, 2016 Under normal conditions the majority of their time will be spent in the run. They free range from about 1 hour to 3/4 hours a day as long as I can be around to supervise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyRoo Posted December 23, 2016 Share Posted December 23, 2016 Even if mine didn't free range, I think the minimum I would work with is 1 square meter per hen, but that's just what I would do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted December 24, 2016 Share Posted December 24, 2016 I think it really depends on the type of chicken you are getting. I have 3 bantams in my Up with standard run and consider getting another tiny bantam (500 g bird) in summer. I wouldn't keep more than 3 large bantams (1 kg bird) in my run. Standard chickens are mostly around 2 to 3 kg. If you are getting big birds, I think you better keep it to three or downsize to a bantam breed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted December 24, 2016 Share Posted December 24, 2016 I think that means you have roughly 3 square metres. I wouldn't keep more than 3 full sized hens in there unless they would be free ranging most of the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roksteddie Posted December 24, 2016 Author Share Posted December 24, 2016 Yes, as suspected it's probably best to stick to 3. We can't pick them up until February anyway so lots of time to decide on which 3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
