A spacious chicken run is essential to ensure robust growth and the healthy well-being of growing chickens. A 10×10 chicken run can fit approximately 10 chickens and nothing more. Much has been talked about raising chickens in urban spaces, but the fact that chickens need ample space remains.
Chickens are descendants of wild birds who roam freely in the wild and forage. While chickens in cities are mostly raised in small spaces, a spacious chicken run is essential if you want your chickens to grow healthy.
A roomy chicken run allows chickens to flap their wings fully, get the exercise they and give a breath of fresh air daily. Foraging in a chicken run will give them nutrients through small insects or worms and the greeneries around.
Can 15 Chickens Fit In A 10×10 Run?
No, a 10×10 run cannot hold 15 chickens, and a good rule of thumb is to keep at least 10 square feet of space per chicken. Therefore, a 10×10 run will hold a maximum of 10 chickens at a time.
Bigger is always better in case of a chicken run. You can compromise a little on the space for smaller-sized chickens like the Bantam, but it shouldn’t be less than 8 ft per chicken.
Most poultry keepers recommend keeping your chickens calculated at 11-12 square feet per chicken. But if you live in an urban city, this may not seem feasible.
For city dwellers, you must check for the HOA restrictions in your area to avoid any legal issues later.
Why You Need A Chicken Run
A Chicken run is a sine qua non for a healthy chicken with optimum growth. Chicken runs are fenced spaces attached to chicken coops where chickens can roam freely while being protected.
Chicken runs allow chickens to forage for food and roam freely while basking under the sun. Studies have shown that chickens that forage lay eggs with elevated omega-3 levels and Vitamin E.
Also, when chickens are exposed to enough sunlight, they develop healthier bones with optimum Vitamin D.
Therefore, keeping a spacious chicken will prove beneficial for the chickens as well as you. It is much easier to clean runs that are bigger in size.
Another big advantage of keeping chicken runs is to save your chickens from predators. Since chicken coops are mostly built in the corners of a backyard, there are chances of snakes or foxes getting attracted by the smell.
Requirements Of An Ideal Chicken Run
- Roofing
The roof should be constructed using industrial-grade materials to avoid leakage and make it fully weatherproof. Corrugated panels are best for stronger built.
A slating roof is better to avoid water retention on the roof and give the run a good height.
- Fencing
A tight galvanized wire mesh is necessary to keep the chicken run safe and airy at the same time. While a wired mesh will keep out large predators like foxes, small animals like weasels can slither through easily.
A half-fenced concrete wall is also a good option to avoid snakes or other small animals. Also, few animals can dig under fences, so it is best to buy the fence at least 6 inches below the ground.
- Ground cover
Chickens love to dig holes and scratch on the ground. Hence, the ground cover must be soft and easily breakdown. You can use sand, grass, wood chips, or simply bare ground. Using organic materials is a great way to
- Sturdy access door
The access door must be sturdy enough to hold the push of notorious predators like raccoons. A secure gate with a latch is necessary for added safety.
Conclusion
Chickens grow best when they are given ample space, clean food, and water. Every chicken must get a minimum of 10 square feet of space in the run to walk and run freely. So, a 6×10 run will house 6 chickens, while a 5×4 run will house 2.
For small-sized chickens, it is possible to add a few more to a 10×10 run, but the space shouldn’t be overcrowded. When there are too many chickens in a run, there are chances of feather-pecking and other issues that can turn dangerous with time.
