I have been reading lots about chicken paddock systems. Started down the rabbit hole with this fantastic article posted by a permie member: https://richsoil.com/raising-chickens.jsp
I've been deep diving in the same hole in the last days too

I have wondered what small and large paddock may refer to "
Using electric fence on large portable paddocks works really well. You should never use electric fence for a small paddock. It's too stressful for the animals inside the paddock.", I think it's very subjective what small and large are to people. So I'm looking on some advice: we have been offered 7 "old" (they're 3 years old) chickens and I want to do them good. Would a 164 feet (50 meter) electrical fence be adequate for the number of chickens?
Answering your question,
Becky Isabell:
Does anyone have any estimates on how many square feet per chicken per day for a paddock system?
I cite what Patrick Whitefield writes on page 247 of The Earth Care Manual writing specifically on chickens in an established orchard: "120-180 chickens per hectare [
107639.1 square feet] is the recommended density [...] though smaller numbers will still have beneficial effect. More can lead to excess nitrogen in soil. [...] Keeping them in the orchard year-around is probably not a good idea"
I'd love to see a picture of you paddocks, if you have any,
Cécile Steizer Johnson:
I've had 2 paddocks for my girls, with fruit trees above, and flowers