Is this big enough?

[ohflipit]

I've seen a lovely chicken run which measures 9ft x 4ft. The hen house is raised up over the run. Is this likely to be big enough for three or four hens? There will be only very occasional free ranging (if any - husband isn't keen on it)

I can add a 3ft extension but it would mean loosing my vegetable garden

Next door have just fenced off the entire bottom bit of the garden and let theirs free range. We could do the same but there are so many foxes. I think I'd feel bad looking their lovely set up then my cooped up hens

Chickens need much more space than you think. We built a walk-in run for ours, which was approx 8ft square, maybe a bit bigger. We also used to let them free range around the garden, but only do that if you aren't precious about your plants.

My run is 5 m by 2 m and I still let them out... I have 3

They are only allowed out supervised due to foxes but am working on a pen of some sort that will provide enough protection if in kitchen or toilet!

The area of the run you’ve seen is 36 sqft, which is 3.3 sqm.

Hens need a run space of 1 sqm bare minimum each if they’re regularly getting out to free range.

It’s better if they have a space of 2 sqm each, particularly if they’re not getting out to roam regularly.

Personally, I wouldn’t consider the run adequate for even 2 hens, if kept permanently in the run. And since they’re sociable and need company, it’s just inadequate, unless you add the extension, or allow them to regularly free range.

Thank you so much everyone, that is really useful. It looks like I'd need to use every bit of space I have and get a walk in 9ft by 12ft run which according to @altforvarmt 's calculations should be enough for four? I think that's my only option if I want happy chickens.

It looks like I need to think about letting them out for half an hour in the evenings when I can too (supervised as there are so many foxes) but there's a three foot fence the entire length of the garden that I can't change. Surely they'd just hop over it?

Thanks again everyone, lots to think about.

With a walk-in run that size, they'll be absolutely fine. You'll be able to sit in the run with them too, which will help them to get comfortable with you.

You're right... with a 3 foot fence, they'd be off in no time, so it'd be difficult for you to allow them to free range at all. Some people buy a 6ft high net enclosure that they can move around on the lawn to give their chooks a change, but it's not necessary if they have a good-sized, enriched run.

I am cordoning off beds with green pvc coated chicken wire which is 60cm high, when they are in it just throw over an industrial pigeon net in a stone colour, can be attached with carabiners.