Read that chickens need at least 10 square feet per bird in the run, not just the coop

Was looking at old posts and saw a comment from someone who lost 3 hens to pecking because their run was too crowded, made me measure my setup this morning. Turns out my 8x12 run is only good for 6 birds max, and I've got 9 right now - anyone else run into this and just build a second run or do you cull the flock?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_simon1mo ago

Funny how the same pattern shows up everywhere, like how people cram too many plants in a garden bed or stack shelves too full in a garage, and then wonder why nothing thrives. Did you end up building a second run or find another way to split them up?

gibson.sean1mo ago

Funny you mention that, but I actually push back on that idea a little. Sometimes cramming things together works just fine if you know what you're doing. Gardeners who plant densely with the right companion plants often get better results than spacing everything out, and a packed garage shelf is just being efficient with space. It's not always about "thriving" either, sometimes it's just about making the most of what you've got. Different strokes for different folks, you know?