Kit Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 Hi my chickens free range all day from 8am til at least 4.30pm in an acre paddock so they do get to travel some distance. They have been doing this since I got them back in Aug 2008 How much is too much? The reason I am asking is are they getting enough nutrients whilst burning off so much energy during the day? Their daily routine is door opened at 6.30 left in run until 7.50 when I open the run door to release them. I read that hens suffer prolapse for the following reasons 1 large egg 2. over weight which my girls are not 3. under weight which I don't think they are (they get a evening snack 6 out of 7 evenings on average..either handful of mealworms, pasta with sweetcorn or a handful of grapes this is on top of unlimited organic chicken pellets in the grub I am worried that Martha who was pts yesterday with a prolapse could have been freeranging too much and maybe slightly underweight ...I am only saying this as I'm comparing her to my friend's hens who do not free range at all and share a cube run and extension...4 girls in total. My hens do not look as round and plump as those Should I build a wir for them & limit their freedom? Currently have eglu run and ext but I don't like it as it is difficult to clean the run on a regular basis. (doing it fortnightly at present) eglu done weekly Kit avairies for you has quoted 750 pounds for a 12 x 6 run with port hole for egg collection, port hole for emptying out poo tray and a door release trap for letting the girls out. Am I able to do it any cheaper? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 Have you thought about electric fencing? This way you could limit their free ranging however they still have access to grass and the great outdoors. This is also fox proof so shutting them away in the summer isn't necessary. It is a lot cheaper than an aviary and is probably the nicest option for your hens as you have the space To answer your original question, I don't think hens can FR too much, if your hens are lively and healthy I wouldn't worry too much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kit Posted February 22, 2010 Author Share Posted February 22, 2010 Thanks Tom Just clicked on your site, your Wyandotte Bantam is beautiful..will the mix with pepperpot hybrids? Currently I only have two hens and I am wanting to add 2 more as they look a little lonely. Kit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 Yes, Wyandotte bantams mix with hybrids but intros have to be done slowwwlllyyy as they are smaller so are at more of a risk of being picked on. They are lovely though, my favourite Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Do it - get some more, you know you want to and you have all that space! If you need separate accomodation for introductions, I have a with normal run that is empty that you are quite welcome to lend if required (I'll need to give it a good clean first ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kit Posted February 23, 2010 Author Share Posted February 23, 2010 Oooooh yes please poached egg, I am more than happy to pay rental charges as well! Thank you very much, I spoke to Lisa today and she said that she is getting some more hens this week but I cannot decide whether to have just 2 more to fit in eglu or order cube and get 4 more! Kit xxxxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Oooooh yes please poached egg, I am more than happy to pay rental charges as well! Thank you very much, I spoke to Lisa today and she said that she is getting some more hens this week but I cannot decide whether to have just 2 more to fit in eglu or order cube and get 4 more! Kit xxxxx Dont be daft about rental charges! Regarding how many chickens......well you know what I'll say!! Give me a bit of notice when you want the so I can give it a clean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kit Posted February 23, 2010 Author Share Posted February 23, 2010 Thank you Poached Egg....well let me treat you and Carol to lunch one day! maybe the weekend after next? I will go and see Lisa this weekend and see what she has and reserve some....I could still get 4 and put them in your eglu whilst waiting for cube...........have not met you yet and already you are leading me astray.....naughty Kit x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Tony's WIRs may seem expensive but they are not considering the quality. I don't regret getting mine at all. I would recommend them to anybody. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Thank you Poached Egg....well let me treat you and Carol to lunch one day! maybe the weekend after next? I will go and see Lisa this weekend and see what she has and reserve some....I could still get 4 and put them in your eglu whilst waiting for cube...........have not met you yet and already you are leading me astray.....naughty Kit x 6th or 7th March? Thats fine with me. (Lunch sounds good!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Shirl Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Thank you Poached Egg....well let me treat you and Carol to lunch one day! maybe the weekend after next? I will go and see Lisa this weekend and see what she has and reserve some....I could still get 4 and put them in your eglu whilst waiting for cube...........have not met you yet and already you are leading me astray.....naughty Kit x 6th or 7th March? Thats fine with me. (Lunch sounds good!) It's OK for the hens to free range all day then. Is it? Mine have done for six years and not a prolapse in sight. Have a nice lunch together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Mine are out all day too and have laid all through the winter and are very happy and healthy (hastily touches wood ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted February 24, 2010 Share Posted February 24, 2010 Mine are out all day too and have laid all through the winter and are very happy and healthy (hastily touches wood ) Yep, same here, although they now only have half the garden because DH was getting fed up of them digging up the compost heaps and putting it all over the paths. I would love a WIR but doubt DH would go for it, so FR is the only other option. They do seem to thrive on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
