juliec Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 we have just finished building our walkin run, the girls used to free range around the garden but due to the fact they have totally trashed it we took the decision to fence them in, the problem now being a feel so cruel. They keep staring at me through the fence, in that pleading let us out of here kind of way. So now i dont know what to do, they look so unhappy, they still have a large area, but they seem to be bored and lethargic now and not running around as they used to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Random_Girl66 Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 I got a good telling off yesterday (Queenie was practically growling at me ) when I put mine back in their run at lunchtime instead of tea time. They pretty much FR all day everyday and didn't like the sudden restriction. I can't blame them though and like you, I felt a bit guilty. Maybe there is a compromise - just let them out to FR for the last few hours of each day? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trougher Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 I've fenced off an area at the bottom of the garden, and I have started putting the chickens down there for a couple of hours a day to give them a change from the WIR, whilst at the same time stopping them having access to the rest of the garden. The fenced in area is all dirt, so they can dust bathe and scratch around for bugs. I put a bowl of water in there, and I throw some mealworms or crumbs as well. I am hoping that the lawn will have a chance to recover, and perhaps in a month or two I will let them have limited free ranging again. Perhaps you could let them free range again when the garden has recovered? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Webmuppet Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 Why not just let them out for a few hours a day once the garden has recovered. Mine are only allowed out when someone is at home ( chickeny 'elf and safety) and for a few hours at a time ( so the garden isn't trashed). That way everyone is happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 Ohhh chickens are experts at making you feel guilty, even though you have the most spoilt chickens in the world, they still want MORE!!!! I have also fenced mine off as they were totally trashing the garden, they dont like it and keep escaping Today i think, i hope, i have found their escape route and blocked it off. Dont feel guilty, remember it IS your garden too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 Try watching from somewhere they can't see you, and you will probably find that they are perfectly happy. If my girls are anything to go by, they turn on the "we are very miserable" etc behaviour as soon as I appear, but when I hide they pootle about quite happily. Don't be fooled by them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daxigirl Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 You go girl. Put your foot down. There has to be a poop free zone however small. Mine move into their walkin at the weekend and then I start revamping their other run area and making some plant protectors to keep them off the flowers (yeah, yeah, I hear you all say ). My strawberry patch is currently the dirt bathing area with a rather large crater. It's got to stop, I'm going to be strong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovebugette Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 I had to do the same! Did think that it was a little unfair allowing 8 hens to range the whole garden, whereas the children had to make do with a little patio! Free range hens v's battery kids! Husband built a fab WIR and the hens come out for supervised free-ranging. Children have resumed football and are most pleased! I have been known to sit in the garden whilst freezing, supervising the free ranging chooks with hat, gloves and coat whilst sipping tea and completing a mortgage application as that was the only window of time I had to sit down! Keep strong! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlo Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 Try watching from somewhere they can't see you, and you will probably find that they are perfectly happy. If my girls are anything to go by, they turn on the "we are very miserable" etc behaviour as soon as I appear, but when I hide they pootle about quite happily. Don't be fooled by them! I am going to go with this advice! Whenever the girls hear me coming down the garden they cluster around the door of the run with the sole intention of making me feel guilty. However, if I have managed to creep down so that they don't hear me, they are more than happy scrabbling around or dustbathing. My friend has chickens which have never been allowed out of her (quite sizeable) run and they don't even try and get out of the door when she opens it. Mine are usually allowed to free range for an hour or so on days off but they haven't been allowed out for a few weeks for various reasons. I know what you mean about feeling guilty but I certainly wouldn't lose any sleep over it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 I had that feeling when we fenced ours in. They had 6 mths of trashing my garden and then I couldn't take any more. They have their own area with a mud pit, and although they still pace up and down they are happy, even if they make those little faces and noises that say they aren't. Mind you, I do miss them pottering round my garden - but then I like some pretty flowers and grass too. They'll soon get used to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeMeadfan Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 I think whatever space they had/have if they have a fence between them and 'their' garden, they would pace up and down! Joni makes a horrible crowing type noise when she knows I'm outside, I have to ignore her then she soon settles down My girls come out where possible about 2.30ish to FR until they go to bed - but as days get longer I will probably restrict it more. They do settle down although they 'know' when its coming up to the time for letting them out! Trouble is they think they own the place Try not to feel guilty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 Ohhh, having a specific time is a definate no no for me. Believe it or not, but they know the time and if you start letting them out at a particular time, they soon get used to it and come to expect it and kick off loudly if not let out at that time. Absolutely No Routine is the only way to go...keep the little madams guessing, thats what i say! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeMeadfan Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 Yes you're absolutely right chickwiggle! If it's morning & I open their run door they don't make any attempt to come out I do try to 'vary' their routine but not always feasible. As the evenings get/stay lighter then some days they'll get let out later. I swear they have alarm clocks when it gets to 2.ish - you can see them looking at their watches and they gather by the door Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 Yes you're absolutely right chickwiggle! : Nothing to say, i just dont get to see or hear that very often! *note to self* Show OH! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeMeadfan Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 Nothing to say, i just dont get to see or hear that very often! *note to self* Show OH! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeMeadfan Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 Whoops - meant to higlight that as a Quote from C.W but did something wrong! Too much wine/lack of sleep Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
