The roosting area where my six hens sleep (where I lock them up at night) has 4 sq ft per hen. With hanging food & water containers, it's a bit less than that. Outside, they have a 25' x 25' uncovered run fenced in with chicken wire and I usually let them out every day. We're going for an overnight getaway, and I'm trying to decide whether I should leave them locked inside the roosting area, or alternatively leave their little outside door open so they can go in & out as they want. I'm leaning toward the latter, sacrificing freedom for protection, but if they'd be ok locked up with food & water then I wouldn't have to worry about predators at all. What do you think?
I agree. Lock them up. I've gone away for 24 hours too and they were just fine. Have a good time where ever you are headed!
Personally - I'd lock them up. That way I could enjoy my vacation without constantly worrying if something got them.
Yep, lock them up. Ours have 4 sq ft/chicken inside and we leave them locked up when we have a 24 hr away time.
I locked them in. They were just fine, although a little P.O.'d when they heard me approaching after getting back. They had food & water for about five days in there, so it was just a matter of "boredom" for them.
Oh good...glad all went fine. I didn't think to mention we will leave them a head of cabbage or a bundle of weeds with seed heads - or a flake of hay to dig through. Keeps them a little more entertained. Although yeah - they're still ready to get out when we return.
