Run size question

[worthysmum]

My chicken run was 15ft by 10ft, today I have extended it to, ( ok my partner did ) 25ft by 10ft. Their shed is 10ft by 8ft. I also picked up two new hens today so now I have the two orpingtons and three brahma bantams and two mulberry blue bantams. Do you think that the run is a sufficient size for them all. I could possibly make the run bigger but it would mean losing some of my flower beds and I'm a keen gardener so loathe to do this really.

 

[chrismahon]

Fixed runs are supposed to be 4 square metres per bird (large fowl) with bantams being happy with half that or less. Pedigrees like Orpingtons will tolerate less space from our experience but small runs cause stress which leads to illness, boredom and feather pecking. Golden rule is never reduce the size of the run, either physically or by adding birds as it increases stress. So what you have done Worthysmum is ideal -increasing the run size as birds are added. 25 x 10 is about 22 square metres, so you need 8 for the Orpingtons and 10 for the bantams. So I think your run is plenty big enough -lucky birds.

 

[foxy]

Yes I agree with Chris..space, and more space is the key to stress free birds, and the breed of bird can make a difference.
You have 23 sq metres which equates to (based on 2m sq per birds) space for around 10 medium birds, so the fact you have 7 birds in that area plus a large shed is ample. You might want to consider sectioning off part of the shed, either create a sheltered area or a storage area for the chickens maybe.

 

[worthysmum]

Thats lovely, thank you.