Patridge bantam chicken poorly foot?

[Autumn]

I keep all my hens confined in their run during the day and allow them to free range every evening and all day at weekend. I can't allow them to free range all the time as I work during the day so they would be open to predator attack. To me they seem happy enough, the two I owned originally do pace up and down the fence when they see me as they know either I've got food for them or will let them out, the others haven't caught on yet as I've only had them two weeks.

 

However, the reason for my post, is that I read in a magazine recently that chickens shouldn't be allowed to free range if they cannot free range permanently as they get stressed being kept in if they are used to going out. The article said it's best to keep them confined so they know no different.

 

I sort of agree with the article but I would feel worse leaving them enclosed all the time and I enjoy allowing them time to free range, explore and have a good stretch of their wings. Also, it gives them time to forage for things that may be lacking from their diet.

 

What are your thoughts on this? x

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Hmm, I can see their logic but to be honest, I think it's crueller to keep them confined all the time if you are able to let them freerange, however little.

 

My girls so obviously enjoy their freeranging time and don't look at all miserable to me when they're in their run that I'm going to continue doing what I do!

 

Does the article say what size of run they're talking about? I think most of us try to give our girls the largest area we possibly can so they have enough room when they're "locked up".

[Egluntyne]

I wouldn't agree with that assessment tbh. Most of us mix the two very successfully.

 

I'd carry on as before if I were you.

 

As long as the hens are happy and healthy you are doing a good job.

[Gallina]

I think it would be wrong to let hens free-range all the time, and then suddenly keep them in all the time.

 

But if they are used to having outdoor time and then being sent back in, that is fine.

[Autumn]

The article didn't state run sizes, it was very general. It just made me think am I doing the right thing but I'd hate to keep them in all the time. I was just flicking through it in the newsagent....wish I'd bought it now to show you exactly what it said. But when they are in and I watch them from inside (so they don't see me!) they seem quite content. They have a big run that does under the house too, it has shelter and perches and we move it every week onto fresh grass. And as my Mum says, if they aren't happy they won't lay! x

[Hen Watch]

Hhummm..... I saw this article too in Practical Poultry Oct issue. One the whole it is a good article about top 10 housing tips and is good for beginners to know about ventilation, not to buy cheap, and not to overcrowd, and recomending not to buy too many hens etc. All good advice.

 

I can see their point about chickens being creatures of habit and how they love routine (yes mine squark if I don't let them out at their usual 9.30am). But I personally disagree with the statement that "confining them inside the run after freedom can lead to increased levels of stress"

 

Mine have mixed free ranging and then confined to the run when I work the odd morning and then back in the slammer on really, really wet days. They are fine and I've had them for 16 months.

 

On the whole though it is a very good article even if it doesn't mention Omlet eglus ......

[sarahschicks]

My girls had a large enough run and they would be in that whilst we were out and let out to free range when we were home, but Mr fox jumped our 6ft fence and sadly took 1 in the middle of the day, it was heart breaking telling the children.

I decided i couldnt keep them locked up all the time and we are lucky enough to have a large garden, so i split the garden in half and invested in electric poultry netting.

The girls are happy, they go in and out as they please and better still no sign of Mr fox .

[tweecy]

OMG somrthing else to feel guilty about

Mine are in a fair sized run when I'm not around, and free-range in a large compound when I am. I also free-range 2 lots in shifts as they don't get on.

They do want to get out into the compound when they see me, as they know I might let them out, but once I'm out of sight, they settle (yes, I've hidden behind a hedge and watched them!) especially when I've given them some treats to attack.

Safety first is best, so I'm going to throw my guilty head in the wastebin

[Olly]

Agree with you, Tweecy - if you hide out of sight, they soon stop pacing up and down!

 

In an ideal world, I'd let mine free-range all day, but in an ideal world I wouldn't have to go to work, foxes wouldn't exist, and my natural talents would have been rewarded by the government with a lifelong pension and a gold medal! Reality has to govern what we do.

 

I'm satisfied that my chooks are happy and healthy, and I never have any trouble getting them back into the run, because they know it means treat time. I think Gallina is right, a sudden change to what they are used to might be stressful, but if they are used to it then it won't trouble them.

[new chick]

My3 Hens do both.

 

Depends on if I'm working at home. I have electirc fence (25 M2), around their run. Even when I do let then out to "free range" around in the fenced area, they spend alot of time in the run.

 

On avaerage I would say they spend 50% in run 50% in fenced area.

 

Of the 25 m2 range they have to use they stay very close to the run, and never venture far from being able to dash back into the nest box.

 

 

PS they are not offically Hens yet as we are still "eggless", so they are still pullets

[clueless chick]

I also saw the article in Oct issue Prac Poultry and have been feeling guilty about going away for the first time since having the girls ( away a week in October) .They will have to stay in their run which is a cube and run plus extension, a neighbour will collect eggs ( from Pearl and Dusty as Rusty still isn't laying) and clear the trays but I don't think they will be allowed to free range.

[new chick]

In the same issue of under Q&A [1], a Hen loves writes,

 

"They (the hens) only want to free range". But

 

"they were fine in their 8X3 run to begin with, if I shut them in they refuse to come out of the coop"

 

Answer given by person

 

“Even quite minor changes in routine can be sufficient to upset the status quo…”

 

“once regular behaviour patterns have been disturbed they can be very difficult to re-establish.”

 

Surley short period for holiday etc are not going to “disrupt your birds.toom much.

When you return they can get their routine back.

 

It’s just the same a putting a dog in kennels. Some do not like this, but unfortunately it's all part of owning a pet (or sensible ownership).

 

Your birds will be well cared for (cleaned, fed and watered each day). So what more can you do. The chicks can’t “rule your life”.

 

I’ve just found someone to look after my Chicks when I go away over Christmas / New Year.

 

It’s a pet sitting service, as not sure if I can ask the neighbours, the cost is £9 for 2 visits a day!

 

 

[1] page 21, Practical Poultry Issue 55 October 2008

[Boo&Fudge]

We do exactly the same with our girls, if we are in and can keep an eye on them then they free range, but whilst we are out they are in the run. We are getting between 2-3 eggs a day, so we presume they are happy. They "shout" if I am out in the garden for treats or for me to let them out, but as you say, once out of sight they settle down.