- Mar 17, 2007
- 74
- 4
- 39
I think I have the happiest chickens in the world, but having read some of your stories I wonder if I'm being irresponsible.
First of all, let me say that I live in the middle of the city in a subdivision with no woods close by. I have never seen any wild animals close to where I live except for squirrels, birds, rabbits, etc. There are houses on all sides within 20 feet away. We have a 6' privacy fence.
I have a small coop with a very small run. I discovered early on that the guy who built my coop built it way too small even though he acted like he knew the size it should be for my four hens. I can't spend the money to get a new one.
So I feed my girls in the evening to get them to go inside the coop. I leave the coop door open that goes into the run. The run is quite secure. In the morning before leaving for work, I let the girls out and they free range all day in the backyard. They are SO happy!
I don't feel good about making them stay inside beside it's really hot here now, and it's so small. They can't fly around and go crazy like they so love to do.
I know that I have to worry about hawks, but I haven't seen any lately. A while back, there was one circling and the girls all ran back into the run.
Should I continue on with my current routine? What would you do?
BTW, I know I'll probably get all kinds of differing opinions and that's what I want.
Oh yeah, and when I go on vacation I just fill up their food and give them an extra water. When I don't make them go in the coop at night they roost on my deck railing. No problems so far... knock on wood!
First of all, let me say that I live in the middle of the city in a subdivision with no woods close by. I have never seen any wild animals close to where I live except for squirrels, birds, rabbits, etc. There are houses on all sides within 20 feet away. We have a 6' privacy fence.
I have a small coop with a very small run. I discovered early on that the guy who built my coop built it way too small even though he acted like he knew the size it should be for my four hens. I can't spend the money to get a new one.
So I feed my girls in the evening to get them to go inside the coop. I leave the coop door open that goes into the run. The run is quite secure. In the morning before leaving for work, I let the girls out and they free range all day in the backyard. They are SO happy!
I don't feel good about making them stay inside beside it's really hot here now, and it's so small. They can't fly around and go crazy like they so love to do.
I know that I have to worry about hawks, but I haven't seen any lately. A while back, there was one circling and the girls all ran back into the run.
Should I continue on with my current routine? What would you do?
BTW, I know I'll probably get all kinds of differing opinions and that's what I want.
Oh yeah, and when I go on vacation I just fill up their food and give them an extra water. When I don't make them go in the coop at night they roost on my deck railing. No problems so far... knock on wood!