Calling All Behavioralists: How do I determine if my birds are content in confinement?

[Mother of Chaos]

WARNING: This is an over-thinker's post.

I only have 12-13 months of chicken keeping under my belt, so I'm hoping more seasoned veterans (or even chicken newbies) can weigh in. It's possible I live with a lot of unnecessary guilt over this fear that my chickens are "unhappy".

- Quick Background -

We do not free range here. Hoping to change that with the next house, but right now, my 3 bantams are confined to a 9x18 pen full time. Enrichment has been hit or miss with these guys, and many of the food dispensers I utilized for my large fowl are too challenging for the tiny bantams.

- Current Enrichment -

• Run is filled with mulch, which we use to encourage foraging. I scatter sprouts 2-4 times a week, and they get a small amount of whole grain mash tossed about at the end of the day.
• Mulch is also their preferred dust bathing medium. They'll pick a new spot each day and rotate between sun/shade spots.
• 36 sqft roosting "tree" that can be navigated from perch to perch. One of their feeders can only be accessed from here.
• Dig boxes filled with sand. They love hanging out in here for whatever reason, and we'll also rotate toys for them to peck at.
• Bench for pooping on and hiding under during rainstorms (even though the run is covered).
• We also have some rotating furniture that we bring in and out: homemade roost, Home Depot bucket, and an outdoor stool.
• I'll toss weed, leaves, and spent herbs/plants in there for them to toss around.
• I offer a produce option some (but not all) afternoons. Apple, kale, cabbage, tomato, etc. Anything I can hang from the skewer.

- What I Consider "Positive" Behavior -

• foraging
• roosting
• dust bathing
• spreading out to pursue different activities
• a stable pecking order
• a general calm demeanor, especially when I'm visiting

- What I Consider "Concerning" Behavior -

• pacing
• standing aimlessly for long periods of time
• excessive sleeping
• constantly huddling together
• bullying/feather picking (obviously)
• a heightened anxiety when I visit, with lots of gakels

- Questions -

Anyone else struggle with this or have thoughts? Are my behavior assessments on point or way off base? How do you balance offering enrichment while also managing a healthy diet? Mine have been very good at eating off their feeders lately, but that hasn't always been the case. Also, I don't mind putting in some work to keep them entertainment, but do feel it should be within reason. Part of why I wanted chickens in the first place was because of their ability to be independent and rely on each other for their social needs.

Sorry if this post seems a bit meandering, but I appreciate any input on the subject. Still learning over here!

EDIT/UPDATE
Just came back from visiting the chicken pen, and there's no world where my birds aren't content right now. They're very peaceful, not going crazy thinking I have snacks, and were excited to just sit next to me and preen. So yeah, I'm worrying without cause. Still feel free to contribute any thoughts if you'd like.

You’ve been through A Lot with your crew, and suddenly, wow, things are calm. And this seems strange and unnatural, and you don’t know what to make of it.

This reminds me of people who have been in toxic jobs, with terrible managers, and drama-llama coworkers, and horrible “this is what it is” vibes. And now you’re suddenly in a new job, where people act like normal human beings, and thank you when you’ve helped them, and appreciate your contributions. And you don’t know what to make of this, because you’ve lost track of what normal is.

Well, welcome to normal, or as close as we get in chicken land. Try to let go of your past experiences, and let the new ones overwrite the old.

 

[thecatumbrella]

Well, welcome to normal, or as close as we get in chicken land. Try to let go of your past experiences, and let the new ones overwrite the old.

What a great way to put it! I’m always waiting for the next shoe to drop, but should appreciate the good while I have it. If anything, it’s proof of concept. The right chickens can live happily together.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

So when it's quiet you panic and go, "What's that noise?" Yup, takes some getting used to. I've been there.

 

[thecatumbrella]

can we see photos

Of the basement brooder? Sure! I uploaded a video from a few weeks ago. Dandelion was broody and separated behind a partition wall. It's a 3x8 stock tank. They do shockingly well hanging out in it for a few hours. I give them some toys and put on a radio for comfort.

 

[kattabelly]

Same, I prefer large fowl. Bantams don't appeal to me. I like big calm birds similarly to how I prefer large calm dogs (not that small dogs and chickens can't be chill). I also would have to worry about a smaller animal more. Perhaps a bit less so with chickens than dogs as both standard and bantams have similar worries but a few bantam breeds (namely silkies) are indeed more delicate, I just don't want to deal with that

Same. Mostly because I don't want a dog that I might accidentally crush or send flying into a wall, just by walking around slowly without carefully scanning the area before every step! Actually did that to one of my cousin's dogs once (I'd just woken up, I was not moving fast) - turned around to fill the kettle, felt the slightest pressure against the side of my foot and then heard a thud and a yelp from the other side of the room Dog was fine but that's a worry I can live without and I feel the same about chickens.

Plus, I don't lock mine in a run and tiny bantams would make a tasty meal for a cat or a large gull or bird of prey. There's enough easier options around that they won't generally bother with large fowl. And we get too much wind and rain for silkies, although some folk do keep them here.