4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[BeckyBoo]

Hi there, we've got quite a big run for our girls, we built it after having had them for a year and having NO garden left. But although they've got plenty of room and compared to a lot of hens they're in hen paradise, I still feel guilty that I'm not letting them out. Thing is I know what they're like and even if I let them out for an hour a day (if I could get them back in quickly enough for it to only be an hour ) they would decimate the garden as quick as you could say "where's me forget-me-nots gone" I'd have no pots left, my herbs and veg that I've started up again would all disappear, but I feel like I've betrayed them they used to be out almost all day and every time I'm out there, which is quite a lot at the minute, they're up at the wire begging to come out. I don't know, there's always something to worry about isn't there? I can't let them out, my children need somewhere green to play, I need somewhere green to chill and we've got the firls from Belarus coming to stay again in the summer and I want some home grown fruit and veg to feed them.

 

Mrs B

[SAB]

Sounds like you have a lovely garden that meets the needs of all of you (feathered or otherwise) who use it. Put you'r guilt to bed, you would feel far worse if they were out and about and a fox got them, or if you ended up resenting them for destroying your garden - I think you sound like you have a great set up - pat yourself on the back rather than beating yourself up!

 

By the way - lovely to hear you have a chook named Tallulah - this is the name my son has picked for his chicken when it arrives mid-May!

 

All the best to you, your chooks and your garden.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I think if they've got a big run, you shouldn't feel guilty at all . Different if they were in an Omlet run (like mine ). They're just winding you up, they're quite happy in there I'm sure .

[Abbey Road Girl]

Could you perhaps cordon off a narrow strip next to their run with with the Omlet netting? That way they could have an "out" as well as an "in"?

 

If a small amount of extra space can't be spared to do this, you could consider making the run smaller in order to provide an outer "space treat".

 

It must be difficult to have them tugging at your heartstrings, but just remember that you're at the top of the pecking order, not them.

[chickenlass]

Mine are in a large run now after I sold my Eglu. I do let them out within Omlet netting when I am at home but very often when I go around to check on them they are back inside the run scratting or feeding etc ...so I kind of take that to mean that they are quite happy in there anyway. If yours are EX Batts then when you think of the conditions they were used to to what they must have now I don't really see a problem. I think if your chickens seem happy and healthy then they must be OK with there run.

[superjules]

In the warmer weather I might let a couple of mine out at a time to mow the grass within some omlet netting. The only one of mine who actually wants to go outside of the run is Daffodil, because she's had a time when she had free rein of the garden. The others have only really known the run and when I put them out on the grass the other day they just ran round the run trying to work out how to get back in.

[chelsea]

We have a large homemade run for just four chickens and I still feel guilty when I shut them in even for a couple of hours! on the whole my lot free range loads as hubby is home during the day, but if we have to pop out then they are shut in, so I try to avoid going out at weekends!

 

I agree with what someone else suggests mrs b, why not net/fence off a small area around the perimeter of the run just so they get the "outside feeling" without being able to destroy your lawn or plants.

 

Im sure your chooks dont mind being in your lovely run. but it might make you feel better

[HasSumAmi]

compared to a lot of hens they're in hen paradise

Mrs B

Focus on that thought and ditch the guilt trip!

[Sunshine]

I feel exactly the same because I know our chickens have plenty of room in their run. At the moment ours usually get let out either every day/every 2 days when someone is in the garden but when mum is going to plant on the veg plot in the main garden they won't be allowed out any more because that is where they always scratch around when they are out.

 

Plus whenever someone is outside they always get frantic at the fence wanting to be let out or for food, although when you go back in they just go back to normal, silly chickens.

 

I'm just trying to think that they have plently of space compared to battery farmed chickens and see daylight etc etc so they should be quite happy.

 

Emma

[Blackrocksrock]

I let mine out of the eglu run every morning into the next run with net I made for them - its long and narrow and they have decimated the grass under the trees and made dust baths under the trees by digging up by the roots!.

Then I let them out into a larger omlet type fencing - same but yellow but when I came home the other night I only had 1 chicken in the run - frantic panic - a fox?? - not at all 2 little renegades out on the razzle round the garden and thankfully not round the front of the house!. They had a ball but obviously could not get back in!!. I did not get a 2nd egg that day or did I and I cannot find it?. One of them has almost an oven ready chest by leaning through the omlet netting and free ranging outside the run! She has really flattened all the feathers and has a bald spot - its certainly not pecking - its netting!

[moomin]

Mrs B have you tried peaking out of the window to see what they are doing when you are not around? A lot of people on here say that they just pace up and down and crowd round the door to make you feel guilty, then when you're not there they are all perfectly happy.

 

You could try not even looking at them when you are out in the garden, although it's easier said than done (I've only had mine for a day, I'm just going on what I've read in here). They might get the message then, if you just get on with your tasks and try ignoring them??

[Rona]

I don't let my chickens out of the run and as they don't know anything different, it I don't think it bothers them. Whenever they see me they pace up and down but they are only looking for treats and they never try to get out of the run.

 

When I first built it I wondered about putting a double door system in so they wouldn't do a runner when I opened the door as I had visions of chasing them around the garden in the mornings when I was trying to get ready for work. But they are always too busy walking backwards with their beaks in the air looking to see what goodies I have brought them and never try to get out the door.

 

They have shelter, a log to perch on, a nice dry area to dust bathe and dig holes in and they are as safe and secure as possible. If they freeranged, their life would be different but I honestly don't think it would be better.

[superjules]

Mrs B have you tried peaking out of the window to see what they are doing when you are not around? A lot of people on here say that they just pace up and down and crowd round the door to make you feel guilty, then when you're not there they are all perfectly happy.

 

There's a lot of truth in that Moomin - mine see me walking past the back door and start pacing. I can watch them from DS's bedroom window and they are pottering about, going about their chickeny thing.

Edited April 11, 2008 by Guest

[Guest]

I looked at your photo gallery (again) and they are truly in chicken heaven - they really don't miss freeranging honestly but I can understand how you feel.

 

I have had to resort to keeping mine in their big pen as the weather has been so bad - and let them out into their netted part of the garden for an hour or so - but they are not that bothered and soon come running and pacing along that netting if they see either of us.

 

A breeder who keeps hers in a big barn in different penned off areas - explained that they just get used to where they live. Now and again one of hers escapes from the pens - but doesn't try to run out of the door of the barn.

 

You purpose built pen is stunning - really wonderful - with straw bales, logs - even a mezzanine floor - what more could they possibly want.

[twix]

i feel the same.. i have both chickens and two rabbits. its absolute carnage when they have run of the garden. so i gave them half of it.. but the grass is always greener.

they do want to get out but their main desire is not just stretching their legs-as that endearing, pleading face would have you believe. They want take on your plants-shoots, roots, the lot!

and they dont think about the fox.

 

i think moomin is right. they've learnt to get attention.. and they've trained me to find them a treat when they do.

[chickenanne]

In a big run with some "entertainments" and "toys" then I can't see what they're missing out on. I think you're feeling guilty for no reason! They've space, somewhere to dust-bathe, things to scratch at, etc.

I let mine out in the back part of the garden as it's grass (well, moss really) apple trees and beech hedges, so there's nothing for them to destroy. But I wouldn't dream of letting them into the "manicured" bit of garden!

They are (gasp!) pretty dim creatures...I don't think they really need to be let out given that your run is huge and has stuff to keep them occupied.

[Cinnamon]

NOPE!!!!!

 

No guilt here

 

I know they are safe.

My veggies,herbs & flowers can grow in peace,rather than be in pieces.

I don't get poo on my Crocs.

 

I do mix things up in their pen every couple of weeks - a few new things for them to jump on,peck at & look at

 

I think my hens are very,very lucky girls to have such a lovely home & I think you should feel the same about yours

[zircon]

I understand the guilt, we sometimes feel a bit selfish wanting a nice garden, but the garden was there first and the girls have a big enough run. We supplement their hour or two free ranging in a sectioned off area of lawn with a spring green cabbage each day. They get their greens and as I pop it into a hanging basket they are entertained also. They do pace along the front of the run when they see us, but we had a dog that used to run to the window when we got home so its much the same !!!!!

We also change the run around and at the moment the girls have an old garden bench to sit on !!!