How much room do chickens need?

I purchased some baby chicks earlier this year to eat the slugs in my yard and provide eggs. Of course, now that they are old enough to be outside instead of being under a heat lamp in a box in the bathtub, the weather has gotten to hot for slugs to survive.

I bought materials for a small coop and my neighbors built it for me. It is simply a wooden frame with a hinged top lid, and plastic chicken netting stapled to the wood. I put an old plastic crate in there which the chickens roost on at night. I also cover the top with a tarp to provide shade, and cover entire coop when I put on the sprinklers.

The coop is about 8 square feet. My four juvenile chickens seem to like it just fine. This size might work well for someone with limited space. I would like a much larger area. The chickens love running around, and I'd like more space so they are not running in poop. I would also like to be able to walk in and visit the chickens. Letting them run around my yard is not an option because I am afraid they might get under the gate or up in a bush or tree. If they climb too high they might make it into a neighbor's yard where they will quickly become a snack for one of the 10 dogs in the yards adjacent to mine.

I decided to build a bigger coop. Maybe they do not NEED the extra space. I know they will enjoy it, and so will I. I found a set of coop plans on ebay. When finished, it will be about the size of a bedroom. I will be able to visit my chickens and hand feed them. They will be able to run around and flap their wings. The coop will have an enclosed area for roosting and egg laying.

I am very excited about this new coop. I was thinking about the chickens when I decided I would build them a new home. Now I realize that I will get a lot of enjoyment out of it as well. I plan on placing it where I will have a garden next year. This year, I can plant some things next to the coop for the chickens to eat as it grows through the fence. I was even thinking about placing straw bales next to the coop and planting in those. That way the chickens can eat both the plants and the bugs, and the straw will decompose into nice soil.

So how much room do chickens need? Some farms keep them in cages so small they can't walk. My chickens will get room to try to fly. It may not be complete freedom, but they will be safe and they will even get some quality human attention. They will be part of the family.

P.S. my dog likes to lay near their current coop. I will use the smaller coop for day use in new areas where there are plants and bugs for the chickens to discover.

Slug Patrol with Chickens

I have been unable to grow any plants due to slugs eating them before they can fend for themselves. Of course, the weeds do not seem to have much trouble surviving.

Here are some ways I have learned about to control slugs:

1. Poison. I chose not to go this route because a poison that will kill slugs will also kill my earthworms and other beneficial creatures.

2. Dichotomous earth. This product is spread over the ground and slugs get cut as they creep over it. I decided not to use this because it will need to be replaced after it rains, and possibly after being watered.

3. Copper strips. This may work for containers, but not so much to keep slugs out of a new bed unless the bed is raised and has a place to put the copper. I put slugs on a frisbee that had copper wire attached around it, and the slugs seemed to have no problem slithering under or on top of the wire. Perhaps wider copper strips would work - if I could find them.

4. Chickens. This is the method I am attempting now. I got some baby chicks, and hope they will eat enough slugs for me to grow vegetables.

I purchased the chicks at a farm supply / feed store. I am looking forward to these chicks growing and tending to my garden. In addition to eating slugs, they provide nutrient-rich manure, the mix the soil, they eat other insects and leftover foods, and hopefully they will eventually provide healthy eggs.

The best part is enjoying their company. They are quite cute and I am noticing their distinct personalities. They are a welcome part of my garden and my life.