Pasture-Raised Chickens: Square Footage Requirements

Raising chickens in your backyard or on a farm requires providing enough space to keep them happy and healthy. The amount of space chickens need depends on several factors, including the size of the flock, the size of the individual chickens, and their activity levels. Chickens need space to exercise, stay mentally stimulated, and forage for food. Insufficient space can lead to health issues and bullying behaviour. While free-range chickens require less space than those in enclosures, providing ample space for your chickens is crucial for their well-being.

The impact of space on chicken health

Providing adequate space for chickens is crucial for their health and wellbeing. Insufficient space can lead to health issues and destructive behaviours. For example, if chickens do not have enough space, they may start pecking at each other due to a lack of ground space to peck and explore. This can also lead to bullying and the spread of diseases.

The amount of space required depends on the size and upbringing of the flock. Free-range chickens that spend most of their time outdoors typically require less space than those kept in enclosures. For backyard free-range chickens, it is recommended to provide around two square feet of personal space inside a chicken coop. However, the EU recommends one hen per 50 square feet to be considered free-range.

Chicken tractors, small mobile structures that provide protection and access to pasture, are commonly used for pasture-raised chickens. These tractors offer approximately 1.5 square feet per bird. It is important to regularly move chicken tractors to prevent damage to pasture health and to manage chicken manure.

Providing ample space for chickens has been shown to positively impact their health. Studies have found that chickens with more space while maintaining stocking density exhibited higher body weight and improved gut microbiome health. This can lead to higher-quality chicken meat at a lower cost. Additionally, more space can reduce competition and stress, improving the overall welfare of the chickens.

While having enough space is essential, it is also important to note that too much space may not be suitable for chickens. Finding the right balance of space, along with proper poultry management practices, is crucial for promoting chicken health and wellbeing.

Chicken tractor design

Chicken tractors are small, mobile structures that provide chickens with shade, shelter from the rain, a windbreak, and protection from predators, while allowing them free access to pasture. They are commonly used for meat birds, turkeys, and egg-laying hens.

The amount of space required per chicken depends on the type of chicken and the purpose of your chicken rearing. For example, chickens raised in a free-range backyard need about two square feet of personal space inside a chicken coop. Pasture-based chickens require 1.5 square feet per bird. For egg layers, it is recommended to have four square feet per chicken, while for meat chickens, two square feet per chicken is sufficient.

Chicken tractors come in various styles, the most popular being the A-frame design. The Salatin-style tractor is a short cage approximately 10 feet wide, 12 feet long, and 2 feet high. The taller A-frame Jon Suscovich-style tractor is approximately 5.5 feet wide, 10 feet long, and 5.5 feet tall. The Idaho A-Frame measures 10x12 feet and can accommodate 50-60 chickens.

When designing and building a chicken tractor, it is important to consider the following:

• Ease of movement: Ensure that the tractor is easy to move on your own, regardless of the terrain. It should have skids or wheels for mobility.
• Protection from predators: Use heavy-duty welded wire fencing to protect against aerial predators like hawks, eagles, and falcons. Reinforce the fencing with hardware cloth along the bottom to prevent ground predators like raccoons, opossums, and weasels from entering.
• Roosting area: Position the roosting bars higher than the nesting boxes to encourage hens to roost there instead of in the boxes. Provide ample space below the roosting area for shade.
• Manure management: Move the tractor regularly to prevent manure buildup and to reduce the impact of excess nitrogen on the pasture.
• Food and water: Ensure that food and water are always accessible within the tractor.

Building a chicken tractor requires some experience with power tools, taking measurements, and following directions. It is important to read through the plans and understand the steps before beginning construction.

Chicken manure and pasture health

Chicken manure can have a detrimental effect on pasture health. Chicken droppings contain high levels of nitrogen, which can destroy the pasture if left to accumulate. To mitigate this, some people allow cows to graze on the grass fertilised by chicken manure, as the cows will keep the grass short and reduce the amount of nitrogen in the soil.

However, it is important to note that chicken manure can be dangerous to other livestock, such as horses, and has been linked to cases of botulism and salmonella. Therefore, it is essential to manage chicken manure carefully and ensure that it is spread evenly and not left in heaps on the pasture.

To maintain pasture health, it is recommended to rotate chickens through the pasture, moving them to a new area every few days to prevent their litter from building up and damaging the grass. This can be done using a chicken tractor, a mobile structure that provides shelter and protection for the chickens while allowing them access to the pasture. Chicken tractors come in various styles, such as the Salatin-style tractor, which is a short cage, or the taller A-frame Jon Suscovich-style tractor.

The amount of space required per chicken depends on the size and upbringing of the flock. Free-range chickens generally need about two square feet of personal space inside a chicken coop and can spend most of their time outdoors. The EU recommends one hen per 50 square feet to be considered free-range. However, this can result in the chickens wiping out vegetation and creating a barren landscape. Therefore, it is essential to provide enough space for the chickens to roam and rotate them between different pastures to allow for adequate recovery.

Chicken breed and space requirements

The amount of space required for raising chickens depends on several factors, including the breed, size, temperament, and activity levels of the chickens, as well as the size of the coop and run, and whether they have access to free-range areas.

Coop Space

The chicken coop is a crucial space where chickens roost at night and lay their eggs. It is important to provide adequate space in the coop to prevent behavioural issues and health problems. The general rule of thumb is to provide at least 2 to 4 square feet of floor space per chicken inside the coop. For example, a flock of four chickens would require a minimum of 8 to 16 square feet of floor space. Additionally, ensure there is sufficient headroom for chickens to stand upright comfortably, and provide a place to roost at night and nesting boxes for egg-laying. Larger breeds, such as Buff Orpingtons or Jersey Giants, may require more space in the coop compared to smaller breeds like Bantams.

Run Space

The outdoor run area is where chickens can exercise, stretch their wings, scratch for bugs, and forage. Standard breeds require 8 square feet for each bird in their run. If you are raising chickens for egg production, you may choose breeds known for their high egg-laying rates, such as Leghorns or Australorps, which may require nesting boxes and accommodations to maximize egg production. Roosters, due to their territorial nature, may also require more space than hens.

Free-Range Space

If you allow your chickens to free-range during the day, they will need access to a secure area that protects them from predators. Free-range chickens typically require less space in the coop and run since they spend most of their time outdoors. The amount of free-range space depends on factors such as the size of your property and the availability of suitable foraging areas. The EU recommends one hen per 50 square feet to be considered free-range. However, it is important to note that chickens can quickly deplete the vegetation in an area, so rotating pastures is often necessary to allow for recovery.

Chicken Tractors

Chicken tractors are small, mobile structures that provide shelter, protection, and free access to pasture for chickens. They come in various styles, with sizes ranging from 80 to 100 square feet, accommodating 60 to 80 birds. Chicken tractors are an excellent option for pasture-based chickens, which require 1.5 square feet per bird.

Chicken pasture plant options

When it comes to pasture-raising chickens, it's important to note that they have different dietary needs and digestion systems than ruminants like cows and sheep. While grass provides Omega-3s, it offers limited nutrition to chickens compared to other food sources. Pastures can be designed to provide chickens with a balanced diet and a diverse habitat for insects, which are part of their natural diet.

Grasses and Broadleaf Plants

While grasses, such as orchardgrass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, and annual ryegrass, provide limited nutrition to chickens, they can be included in the pasture. Broadleaf plants, on the other hand, are preferred by chickens over grasses. These can include plants like buckwheat, alfalfa, clover, radish, turnip, and beet.

Cover Crops

Cover crops such as white clover, New Zealand clover, subclovers (subterranean clovers), oats, rye, peas, kale, mustard, and barley can provide a good source of nutrition for chickens. These crops can be allowed to grow and then harvested and stored, or chickens can be given access to free-range and forage for them.

Grains

Grains like corn, wheat, rye, oats, and barley can be planted in the pasture. These grains can provide a good source of seeds for chickens, especially in early spring before the leaves age and firm up.

Greens

Various greens can be planted in the pasture, including lettuces, dock (sorrel), cowpeas, mustards, clover, sorghum, chicory, and dandelions. These plants provide a source of vitamins and minerals for chickens.

Trees and Hedges

In addition to the plants mentioned above, occasional shade trees, rows of trees for windbreaks, and living barrier hedges can be incorporated into the pasture design. These elements provide a well-layered landscape that offers chickens a diverse environment to explore and forage.

It's important to note that the specific plant options may vary depending on the climate and seasonal changes. Additionally, the height of the pasture is crucial, as chickens prefer foraging at a height of no more than 3 to 5 inches.

Frequently asked questions