Chickens, like most other animals, thrive in large open spaces so that they can roam around freely. However, they don’t require this much space all day long – a few hours a day is perfectly fine.
Keep reading to find out how you can keep your chickens comfortable in your backyard.
The size of your chicken coop is very important when it comes to the quality of life for your chickens. Healthy, happy chickens produce more eggs and better tasting too. It can also lessen the likelihood of diseases spreading if they have their own space.
Overcrowding in a coop can be stressful for chickens which can also lead to them developing behavioural problems from not having their own personal space. In extreme instances, overcrowded chicken coops can lead to chickens feeling the need to fight for food, which is stressful for the chickens and owners alike.
So how much space does one chicken need? In order to keep them comfortable in your home, it is recommended that each chicken has at a minimum, one square metre each. However, the more space you can afford, the happier your chickens may be.
It is a good idea to let your chickens out of their coops for a few hours a day to run around. If you are concerned about predators or are unable to keep a close eye on them, a chicken run might be ideal for you as they can run around in a closed off environment.
Chicken runs come in many different shapes and sizes. There are chicken runs made from wood with mesh panels, steel chicken runs or fencing made from woven plastic. Depending on the space in your backyard, there is something out there that will suit your needs, no matter how big or small your backyard is. They can be standalone from your coop, attached to your coop or set up to be around the enclosed coop. These will all ensure your chickens get a chance to run around and stretch their legs, keeping them healthy and happy.
If you feel comfortable, letting your chickens roam freely in your backyard is beneficial for them. It allows them to forage for supplementary food to incorporate into their diets such as bugs and insects that can aide their digestions, not to mention it also benefits your garden! Free range also allows them to get exercise in to stay healthy. If you plan to do this, you will need to ensure your chickens are kept in their enclosure for at least a week so they can familiarise themselves with where their food and drink are, and they should return home each time. Many find that letting them roam at the end of the day before sunset will ensure that the chickens return home as their natural instincts kick in when it starts to get dark.
At The Organic Garden Co, we have six chicken coops which are perfect for your feathery friends. See the below guide for more details.
Our most popular chicken coop, this is comfortable to house 1-2 chickens.
Another of our popular coops, this fowl house is recommended for 2 chickens.
If you’re looking to have 4-5 chickens, this would be a great home for your chooks.
This gable roof chicken coop is recommended for 3 chooks.
5 chickens would fit comfortably in this gable roof coop with a single side access door.
A palatial home for 6-7 chickens in your backyard.
Our chicken coops are a safe and secure home for your chickens when assembled correctly. It is recommended that the coop is anchored into a concrete slab which makes it very hard for predators to enter if the door is closed. Predators are also not able to enter via the mesh. If you plan to let your chickens roam freely outside of the coop, we recommend keeping a close eye on them to ensure they are safe.
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