Is it cruel to have chickens if they can't free range? - Page 8

We have 14 chickens (1's a rooster, a very nice fellow) with a 15' x 40' run that used to be a dog pen. It's got fencing over the top to keep out the racoons, bobcats, owls and hawks, and there's double fencing at the bottom to discourage the coyotes. Their house is a 4' x 8' elevated palace (pictures coming soon) with windows, a ramp, nesting boxes I can clear from outside, and room to rest in the shady sand underneath. I have a mix of shavings and straw on the dirt of the run, and there's a juniper tree at one end of the run on which I have fastened perches at all different heights.

Our girls seem very happy, although they're extra pleased when we let them out for an afternoon, which happens whenever possible. While they're in the run, we give them kitchen scraps and spare produce from the grocery store so that's always a big thrill.

Since we have free-range coyotes wandering around at all hours, we don't let the girls out without one of us on duty, or our 145-lb Newfoundland dog there on a long lead as guard. We have 3 pheasant-colored Cochins, 3 Americuanas and 8 Black Stars. The Black Stars are pretty mellow, the Americuanas are our adventurers and are quite outgoing, and the Cochins are a bit spooky and the most likely to dash back into the run when there's a shadow or a noise they don't like.

Nancy Ambrosiano
White Rock, New Mexico

Chicken brains are about the size of your fingertip.  They don't think, they aren't happy, or sad.  Yes, that is plenty of room.  Would they be "happy" free range chickens if a hawk or fox got them?  They'll be fine.

6chickens in St. Charles :

In this video, my hen jumped into my lap for a visit.  Neither of us are very pretty, but its a good example of what sometimes happens when chicken's personalities come to light:
http://www.youtube.com/user/6chickensinstcharles

I think that 10'x6' is too small for 6 chickens. Will appear great when then are small, but they grow fast. Better to have fewer than too many for the space. The idea of bantams might work well for you but if you go for the larger breeds, I recommend 4 for that area. Overcrowding will lead to heartache for you and fighting, boredom, unhealthy conditions for the chickens.

I do not think it is cruel to have chickens if they cannot free range, but I think you have to pay attention to some basics that really apply to all of us.

Predator proof is vital.
Keep the run clean and give them branches or areas where they can get off the ground during wet or muddy periods. Water changed often, nutritious chicken food and treats
Do not keep a rooster in this small space...you don't need one
Give them treats, set up a dust bath area, give them something to scratch around in ( I use straw in my run which is easy to clean out and will soak up some rain during the winter months.
Let them out with you as often as you can or you go in and sit with them
Teach them early on to come to you using treats so that when you do let them out, they will come back when YOU want them to.

They won't know or miss what they never have. Don't let them taste the freedom if you plan on keeping them in the run.