Can't free-range for 3 weeks

[IslaBean]

Thanks guys! I just hope my girls will forgive me for ruining their fun for 3 weeks.

 

[aart]

I'd seriously start getting them used to not ranging all day or even every day.
Ramp it up until they are confined 24/7 for a week before you leave,
that will make it easier on everyone involved during vacation.

 

[Mrs. K]

^^ good advice, also, be sure that the run is used to it's max. It will look more cluttered to you, but it will mulitply space to have 3 dimensional space. Add a roost, add a platform, put up a small wall so that birds can get away from each other, like they do when they free-range. Don't be surprised if they do not want to leave the run very far when you get back. Chickens hate change, any change, and can't remember.

 

[IslaBean]

^^ good advice, also, be sure that the run is used to it's max. It will look more cluttered to you, but it will mulitply space to have 3 dimensional space. Add a roost, add a platform, put up a small wall so that birds can get away from each other, like they do when they free-range. Don't be surprised if they do not want to leave the run very far when you get back. Chickens hate change, any change, and can't remember.

What do you mean they can't remember?

 

[Mrs. K]

They really won't remember a flock mate that is gone for a few days. And one year we got a lot of deep snow, before that, they had the run of the ranch. After several weeks in lock up, when I did let them out, they stayed very close to the run/coop. It was several weeks before they were out covering the space they had before.

I just don't think they remember much.

Mrs K