I have a Chicago yard approx 40ftx40ft. Enclosed with chain link fence. My 3 bantam hens have a 3ftx3ft enclosed coop with a 9ft x 3ft long enclosed chicken run. I leave them locked inside when I go to work, but they have the run access all day. Usually I let them free range for at least 30min in morning and again for an hour when i get home. I work long hours some times about 10hr days. On my work days I leave them with lettuce in suet cages, and layer feed all day with fresh water. Weekends they free range at least 3-4hr a day. I was just wondering what other urban chicken owners do when they are at work. Lately I noticed my hens are over preening each others necks, no signs of mites or lice and I was wondering if this was due to possible boredom. Was debating whether I could just let them free range my yard while I am gone.
