Concerned about chicken conditions-wwyd?

[karne]

Some family members were talking this weekend about getting chickens. They haven't previously had chicks or laying hens. We've raised a few flocks, and have laying hens at the moment. The relative told me that the hens would be fenced in (small area), in dirt, with a coop. The expectation was that they would eat bugs, and maybe some feed. No plans to move them around, ie chicken tractor, or free range.

Ours free range, and stay in the coop at night. I know that's not for everyone, but it works for our flock, and philosophically meshes with our ideas of treatment of our flock. Relative was pretty sure that their plan would work out, but it doesn't sound great to me.

I am wondering if I should be nosy and offer a copy of a chicken raising book, or refer to BackyardChickens.com? It was pretty clear that my advice wasn't wanted, so I don't want to inflame the situation. It just doesn't seem like a very good way to raise chickens. Maybe I'm wrong though? Any thoughts?

[JamieCatheryn]

If you have an interest I'd think they'd enjoy talking about it with you, most brand new chicken people are quite excited about the prospect and plans. If you can get them talking you can bring up all kinds of stuff, like the cost of feed and different feed options, what veggie scraps etc you can give them for treats, coop and run plans, etc. As I understand it a safe fixed run of an appropriate square footage can be an ok option, not great but not harmful. Underfeeding while not even letting them free-range would suck though.

[Tizzy]

As long as they're feeding them adequately, which I'm sure they'll learn quickly - not enough feed = no eggs, and the chickens have enough square footage each, it doesn't sound that terrible. Chickens are highly adaptable.

FWIW our hens must stay in their fenced coop now due several different kinds of predators, I would love to put them in a tractor but our meat birds will be in tractors already so it won't work. Our hens are quite happy, we give them all the household scraps and weeds from the garden to keep them from getting bored.

[WaitingForKiddos]

Assuming the chickens are getting feed there's nothing wrong with a dirt run and coop. Some might argue it's more responsible than freeranging. Feed is cheap and a hungry hen is LOUD so I can't imagine someone not having feed around.

Really, I'd be more concerned (as I am when anyone talks about getting day-olds) about proper care while the babies are still in a brooder and need lots of care.


My girls freerange and I do think it makes for better eggs and much happier (and quieter!) hens but it's totally optional and there's a price to pay for letting the girls be free....predators etc.

[karne]

Thanks for the feedback. I guess I'll myob unless they want one of my books, etc. It's just funny how folks who have never done this are so sure about the "right" way to do things. Yes, they are getting day-olds.

Cindy, you're right-free ranging is not for everyone. We're well aware of the price, but all in all our eggs are really good and our hens are busy and happy. The dogs do act as guardians, amazingly enough, so we've been lucky.

[camprunner]

Their plan sounds a lot like our set up except that our hens can fly in and out of the fence whenever they want. They would be fine if they couldn't fly too though

[talia rose]

i recently read free range chickens have 8 times the vitamin D!

[mattemma04]

I have a cheap plastic fence run covered with bird netting.They go there if I don't feel like walking around the yard with them protecting them from the hawks.I still stay close to the run since netting will not stop a hawk.

Only issue with the dirt run will be mud.Maybe they can add sand.Or maybe straw that they removed weekly to compost.

[karne]

I've been thinking about this a bit more. This is a general question, and absolutely not a criticism of those who don't free range. I'm wondering, are the hens really satisfied with the same area of dirt, day in and day out? Do they run out of bugs to scratch up? What do they do all day? I'm asking because I know mine have some pretty specific places they go to during the day, in the grass, the forest, near the stream, etc. They are unhappy-seeming when they don't range. I just wonder, in terms of "chicken life". are they satisfied in a dirt run?

[Tizzy]

Our run has a gravel base and yet every.single.morning there are more worms that they all race around to get. Lots of flies for them as well, and we keep them stocked up with weeds and scraps from the house. They enjoy scratching around in the gravel and frequently dig holes that I keep re-filling. Only on the hottest of summer days do they lounge around, otherwise they always seem to be busy doing one thing or another.

As much as I LOVE to have them free-ranging, we've had major predator issues and it's just not worth it. Even with me being outside, a couple coyotes came and stole two hens from the edge of the yard and then continued to return to our doorstep for a couple weeks afterwards to find more.

[Chicky2]

Originally Posted by Tizzy

As much as I LOVE to have them free-ranging, we've had major predator issues and it's just not worth it. Even with me being outside, a couple coyotes came and stole two hens from the edge of the yard and then continued to return to our doorstep for a couple weeks afterwards to find more.

I hear ya on getting them snatched right in front of you. You know how you hardly ever actually sees a fox even if you know there is one nearby? Well, we actually saw one run up and snatch our rooster. My dh was like 6 ft away. He took off after the fox and thankfully it dropped our roo and it was ok. We just recently had 2 different coyotes come up REALLY close to our house/hang out area and snatched my fav. hen. We locked up the chicken in a nice run for 2 wks and then the coyotes moved on. We now let them out on the weekends most days (knowing the risk, yes), and during the week we let them out at 4 p.m. because by 6 they start roosting for the night. It is a chance you take w/free-ranging, but our chickens are so much more happy when they are not locked up. We do like lots of folks and buy extra chicks. Cycle of life and all.