I estimate that I run about 40 or 50 hens per acre. That comes out to 871 - 1089 square feet per hen. In 2011 when we had a severe drought, the grass looked thin and grey, but it was not dead. This year with abundant rainfall, I may have to shred their pasture so that they (or predators) won't vanish into the wilderness. Alternatively I may turn some of the pigs out to help with the clearing; they, however, will dig up the grass eventually. An interesting note: I have a couple of picnic tables out in the middle for refuge from hawks too!