michaela65 Posted May 25, 2017 Share Posted May 25, 2017 Hi Everyone, I dont have any chickens at the moment, but so want to get three, maybe four. These are my questions and if someone has the time to answer them it would be gratefully received. 1. I am going to keep chickens on an allotment (not ideal I know) and the space I have for them is 10ft by 26ft, which I think if my maths is correct is 260sq ft. My question is should I make one big run, ie use all the space as a permanent run, or should I make a 10ft by 16ft run with the remaining 10ft by 10ft as a small area that I can let them out into. 2. Are the above sizes ok for three/four chickens. 3. The coop will be in the run. It is 6ft 6 long by 3ft wide but has two nest boxes attached to each side, is this big enough for 3/4 chickens. 4. I have not made the run yet, but intend to make it as fox proof as I can. ie, 1/4 by 1/4 galvanised mesh round the side and mesh on the top and covered with corrugated plastic. Also going to dig the mesh into the ground and surround the edge with paving slabs. I also want to get an automatic door timer to let the chickens out early in the morning. Or do you think it will be better to let them out myself. I do plan to go down at least twice a day, but not having to be down crack of dawn was the thought behind the automatic timer. I have lots more questions, but my main worry is the size of the run. TIA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted May 26, 2017 Share Posted May 26, 2017 Hi Michaela Welcome along In short I think the answers to your questions are:- 1) I would go for one big run, but maybe think about how you may be able to temporarily divide at some point in the future for introductions- don't expect any of it to stay green though! 2) Plenty 3) Yes 4) Run sounds brilliant- try to dig the mesh in and out (see Omlet Run 'skirt'). I always leave the coop door permanently open, but if you would feel safer opening and closing, a timer is probably better if they're not near your home, just make sure you set bed time late enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted May 28, 2017 Share Posted May 28, 2017 Completely agree with Mullethunter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaela65 Posted June 1, 2017 Author Share Posted June 1, 2017 Thanks for the replies. Good to know that you think the run is big enough. I am still full of worry lol. I want them to be happy. Does anyone else keep chickens on an allotment? If so how have you found it? After the size of the run my next concern is the floor. The allotment ground is clay. What would you advise to put on the floor to stop it turning to mud? Also is it better to have three chickens or four. I was thinking it might be better to have even numbers so one is not left out, or is it not like that with chickens. Anyway have just got the wood, now to get the mesh, oh my is it expensive, I had to have a little sit down when I saw the price lol. I am not vegetarian, but found myself unable to buy a chicken (to eat) at my last food shop, just wondered if anyone else felt the same? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BridieLou Posted June 1, 2017 Share Posted June 1, 2017 Tons of space. Your chickens will be very happy. We have three (didn't want two in case one died). You've got room for three or four, so I guess it comes down to your preference. Beware, most of us suffer from 'morehens' disease at some point, so you may end up with more than four..! We still eat chicken quite a bit - it hasn't put us off! I did feel a little guilty when we BBQd chicken in front of them last summer, though! You've got tons of space so you might not need to worry about them turning it to mud? In smaller spaces it's a given, but you might get away with it. They love to scratch though, so I'd recommend wood chip for them to kick about in if the ground is compacted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamrhind Posted June 2, 2017 Share Posted June 2, 2017 Hi Michaela, Your run size is about the size of mine, which is also on clay. With a varying number of chickens (though never more than three) it's too big for them to destroy - there are bald patches but there's plenty of space for weeds and grass to grow. In the winter it gets muddy and waterlogged because of the poor drainage, but I find that bothers me more than it seems to bother them. Good luck! Graham Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted June 2, 2017 Share Posted June 2, 2017 Michaela I do agree re eating chicken. We are not big meat eaters and before we got chickens would have ate chicken about 3 times a week,now it's generally fish and I scurry past those little dead bodies wrapped in clingfilm and feel sad for their short little life. If I ever buy chicken it's as goujons so not instantly recognisable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted June 3, 2017 Share Posted June 3, 2017 found myself unable to buy a chicken (to eat) at my last food shop, just wondered if anyone else felt the same? As soon as we got some chickens we stopped eating it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted June 5, 2017 Share Posted June 5, 2017 The run sounds great, make sure you share some progress photos! It doesn't really make a difference if you have 3 or 4 chickens, but they are addictive so I'm sure you'll have more than you originally plan to have Noone in the family eats red meat and we didn't eat much chicken for a while but now we've gone the other way and rear out own birds for the table Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
