3.6m Omlet Chicken Run for sale, Brand New in Boxes, Milton Keynes (MK19)

[Luvachicken]

I read that chickens that are kept in runs all the time should be allowed in the garden in the Autumn to eat bugs and such like, but is it fair on the chickens ?

To be let out and have the freedom of the garden sounds like fun, but is it unfair to then take that away from them for the rest of the year ? Would they find it scary suddenly having freedom and the space that they didn't have before ?

My old chickens were let out for about 20 mins most days, but they were much bigger than the ones I have now.

I'd really like to let mine have some fresh grass and a juicy worm but they really only know the area they have and I wouldn't want to upset them or make them any noisier in any way, by asking to be let out. What's best ?

[Duncan08]

My girls very rarely get out into the full garden as I work and we have a lot of foxes about.

I didn't force them out the first time ,just left the door open, they came out on their own after only a few minutes.

Next day however they did all hang around the door shouting to get out - so I had to keep them in.

They have a 4m enclosed run and a large netted area, they shout every morning to get let out into the "paddock".

So you are right, if you do it every day they will come to expect it,but every once in a while is a treat!

They have become right mares though, they always went running home with a rattle of the meal worms, now they play deaf and make me chase them round the garden!

[Luvachicken]

That brought a smile to my face....the thought of a chicken playing deaf

[keyhole kate]

Mine have gone from total use of the garden to total inclusion in a WIR and are perfectly happy and now show no interest in coming out. I think I was the one with the worry issues.

[Olly]

I honestly don't think that their tiny brains are capable of remembering patterns of behaviour! Mine only get out occasionally in the winter because of working hours/short days, but I still think that even ten minutes in the garden is good for them if I can manage it. Free-ranging time after work is getting shorter and shorter, and will be nil after the end of this month when the clocks change. I don't think that being kept in the WIR Monday to Friday will be any harder for them just because they've had some time out of it.

[chestnutmare]

I honestly don't think that their tiny brains are capable of remembering patterns of behaviour!

I think they do remember short term - although I agree they must have tiny brains, some of the daft things mine do! When I was living at my parents' smallholding with them in the Go with run, I left them out every day for 20mins/half hr. And they would know the times they'd be left out, and they'd know when I closed the gate I was about to leave them out because they'd be pushing each other over at the run exit and kicking up a fuss. I did feel guilty at times because I'd see them pacing up and down trying to get out, as if they much prefered to be FR-ing than in the Go run. They've only free ranged a couple of times at our new home (now in WIR) and I've never seen them pace or try to get out of the run by pushing at the nearest exit! So I don't think they remember long term, so once in a while free ranging wouldn't be unfair, I don't think. Or maybe they do remember long term but they don't get upset about not FR anymore because they absolutely love their WIR.

[migsy]

They love to get out when they can but I think chickens adapt very quickly to their situation. Mine seem quite happy with being in the run when needs be but they do come to the run door if they seem me.

[MedusA]

My girls are due to come out for their "free-ranging-whilst-I'm-in-the-garden" period of the year now. They have a 5m X 3m walk in run for most of the time in Autmn/Winter and ALL the time in Spring/Summer because they totally trashed my garden when I let them out year round. I never dreamed they'd be so destructive. I still need to fence off the main flower bed as that's still looking OK, but they'll be able to have a wander around the rest of the garden for an hour or two each day from now on until early Spring.

 

I think any free-ranging time is a bonus, so don't feel guilty.

[Maureen3]

I agree the girls all like to get out of their run for any time available. Mine are free range all year as they are used to this. As for their capacity to retain memory unsure about that I think we may all be surprised how much information they can retain especially when food is involved. The winter can be stressful for birds and humans alike.

[Luvachicken]

Thanks everyone for your ideas.

I'm still not sure whether to do it or not..I do love seeing girlies running round the garden.

As for their memories, mine definitely know that they get a treat before bedtime, they start gathering around their little gate waiting for me to come. Such sweet things

[gongladosh]

I honestly don't think that their tiny brains are capable of remembering patterns of behaviour!

I think they do remember short term - although I agree they must have tiny brains, some of the daft things mine do!

 

I guess it depends on how much of that brain is used - we have huge brains but only around 1% is actually used. Maybe the percentage is higher in chickens? I'm pretty convinced mine have their own thoughts and memories.

[Olly]

Well, it's an interesting question - mine know very well that I usually visit with a handful of corn first thing in the morning, as they kick up a row then, so I think they can tell the time of day (broadly speaking!). They can recognise cat = danger, so they bok-bok when they see a strange cat, but equally they can recognise my own cats which they know are safe. They even distinguish between the one that is scared of them, and the one that isn't. They also know that 'chook, chook' means 'get back in the run, and I'll give you a treat' - all of that is learned behaviour. Much of their other behaviour is instinctive - fear of predators, including birds of prey; returning to roost at dusk; knowing what is edible and what isn't.

 

I'm afraid generally speaking though, I don't rate their intelligence that highly. Every time I try and get them back in the run, there will be one or other who misses the doorway and then paces up and down the side of the run desperately trying to get in!

[chestnutmare]

I'm afraid generally speaking though, I don't rate their intelligence that highly. Every time I try and get them back in the run, there will be one or other who misses the doorway and then paces up and down the side of the run desperately trying to get in!

That happens with mine too. No, they're not the most intelligent of creatures, very lovely and entertaining but they're not too bright.