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How Much Space Do Chickens Need? + Burnout Relief for Busy Homesteaders
Question of the day: What motivates you most to stay committed to your homesteading lifestyle?
Cedie Omaña
November 21, 2024
In partnership with
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"Contentment comes not from what we have, but from what we do with what we have."
— Anonymous
HOMESTEAD TIP OF THE DAY
Leave a few dried flower stalks, like echinacea or sunflowers, for birds to snack on through the colder months. They’ll love the extra food source and bring life to your winter garden.
What motivates you most to stay committed to your homesteading lifestyle? |
IN TODAY'S EDITION
Homestead Tip 🌱
Poll Results From Last Tuesday 📊
All Things Homestead: How to Figure Out How Much Room Your Chickens Really Need 🐓
Personal Development: Navigating Burnout in Homesteading 😉
Today's Top Picks 🛍️
Let’s Keep It Reel 🤣
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POLL RESULTS FROM LAST TUESDAY
How do you handle food preservation on your homestead?
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Canning everything I grow
🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ Freezing and dehydrating for long-term storage
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Fermenting and pickling most of my harvest
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Using root cellars and cool storage areas
🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ I buy most of my preserved foods
via @beehiiv polls
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ALL THINGS HOMESTEAD
How to Figure Out How Much Room Your Chickens Really Need 🐓
If you've ever wondered how much elbow room your chickens need to be happy and healthy, you're not alone. It’s a key question whether you’re just starting out or thinking about giving more room to your growing flock. Let’s break down how much space chickens need to roam, sleep, and just be their chicken-y selves.
Why Bother About Space?
First things first, chickens need their space just like we do. Cramming them into a tight coop can lead to all sorts of trouble. We're talking health issues like diseases and parasites that thrive in cramped, dirty conditions. Plus, chickens are social creatures with a complex pecking order. Too little space can lead to stress, pecking, and even aggression.
And there’s a happier reason to give them more room—more space often means more eggs. When I expanded my coop, my chickens not only seemed happier but also almost doubled their egg production. It was like they wanted to thank me for the extra legroom!
Space Per Chicken: A Quick Guide
Here’s the simple breakdown of space needs:
Bantams (the little guys): 2 square feet in the coop, 5 square feet in the run.
Standard Chickens (your average birds): 4 square feet in the coop, 8 square feet in the run.
Large Chickens (the big breeds): 6 square feet in the coop, 12 square feet in the run.
These are the minimums to keep everyone comfy and moving. If you’ve got the space, a little extra room can help keep the peace in the coop.
Calculating Your Coop Size
The size of your coop and run depends on how many chickens you’ve got. Here’s a quick rundown to keep them from feeling cramped:
For 2 chickens: You’ll want at least 8 square feet of coop space and 16 square feet of run space.
For 6 chickens: Aim for at least 24 square feet of coop and 48 square feet of run space.
For 10 chickens: You should have at least 40 square feet in the coop and 80 square feet in the run.
For 20 chickens: Go for at least 80 square feet in the coop and 160 square feet of run space.
Nesting and Roosting Needs
Getting the number of nesting boxes and roosts right is crucial too. You’ll want:
2 chickens: 1 nesting box and 16–20 inches of roost.
6 chickens: 2 nesting boxes and 48–60 inches of roost.
10 chickens: 3 nesting boxes and 80–100 inches of roost.
A comfy roost and a cozy box for laying eggs can make all the difference.
Adjusting for Breeds and Behavior
Different breeds and different bird personalities might mean adjusting these numbers. More active breeds or larger chickens might need more space to stay healthy and out of each other’s feathers.
The Setup Matters
How you set up their living space matters as well. If you’re letting your chickens free-range, they won’t need as much coop space but still need a safe place to sleep and lay eggs. And remember, the climate matters—chickens might need more indoor space if you live somewhere cold or really hot.
Change as You Grow
As you get to know your flock and your space, you might find you need to make adjustments. Keep an eye on how they interact and whether they seem healthy and active. Don’t be afraid to change things up if you need to give them more room or tweak the setup.
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Navigating Burnout in Homesteading 😉
Today, we're tackling a biggie—burnout. It’s that feeling of being totally spent, which can really throw a wrench into your homesteading and personal life. I've been down that road, feeling all burned out and struggling to find the joy in the chores that used to make me happy. The good news? There are solid ways to kick burnout to the curb and get back to loving your homestead life.
What Exactly is Burnout?
Think of burnout as running out of gas emotionally, physically, and mentally after too much stress. It's super common among us homesteaders because we often have a million things to do and never enough time to rest.
How to Spot Burnout
Look out for signs like feeling tired all the time, even if you’re sleeping enough, or getting more colds than usual. Maybe you're feeling more cranky or detached from your homestead tasks. These can all be clues that burnout is creeping in.
Why Burnout Hits Homesteaders Hard
We're a tough bunch, pushing through rain or shine. But sometimes, we push too hard. Recognizing that you're not failing, just facing a bump in the road, is crucial. It's okay to need a break.
Finding the Root Causes
Often, it’s about unrealistically high expectations or just not taking enough breaks. Knowing what’s stressing you out is half the battle. Once you see what's piling on the pressure, you can start making changes.
Daily Mini-Breaks
Incorporate little breaks throughout your day. Just a few minutes to pause and breathe can make a world of difference. Try to make this as routine as your morning coffee.
Weekly Relaxation
Seriously, take a day off. No chores, just do whatever makes you feel relaxed and happy. This isn’t just nice to have—it’s essential for keeping you running without burning out.
Adjust with the Seasons
Take time each season to reflect and adjust. Use the slower seasons to plan and rest, rather than filling every moment with tasks.
Draw the Line
Setting boundaries is key. Whether it’s time blocks free from any work or designating certain areas as work-free zones, clear boundaries can prevent burnout.
Lean on Your Community
It’s okay to ask for help. Get the family involved, team up with neighbors, or join community efforts. It’s a great way to lighten your load and add some fun to the mix.
Let Go of Perfection
Trying to make everything perfect is a surefire path to burnout. Aim for "good enough" and find ways to be okay with that. Enjoy your successes, learn from mistakes, and move on.
Stay Flexible
Your goals might need to change as your life does, and that’s perfectly fine. Be open to adjusting your plans as needed.
THE STEADY HOME’S GIGGLE CHAMBER
What did the acorn say when it grew up?
"Gee, I’m oak-ay!"
TODAY'S TOP PICKS
LET’S KEEP IT REEL!
I've put together some fantastic farm videos that are sure to make you laugh. Take a look and enjoy the fun!
Just a bunch of cows having a blast with a bucket:
@boggs.funny.farm Cows had fun playing with a bucket! #fyp #foryou #foryoupage #cows #herefords #farm #farmlife #animals #funny #heifer #boggsfunnyfarm #tiktok
POV: When there’s that one member in the group who always has to be extra! 😂
@c_wondersoffarming Every group has one 😂. #goose #farming #funny #agriculture #animals #trending #goodvibes
As plant parents, we all know that every new leaf is a reason to celebrate, right?
@plantamorem #houseplants #plants #plantparent #plantsoftiktokplants #plantmeme #houseplant #Meme #MemeCut
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