Hello,
Apologies for the asking to weigh in on a domestic issue regarding chicken care but I am going to ask for diplomacy.
I am the general carer for our chickens but I do rely on my partner to assist with their care...they for the most part adhere but occasionally do not. In those times, I say - this has to happen - they say why? I try to explain but it falls on deaf ears as I am 'health and safety' apparently and overzealous in my care. Am I?
We have 30 chickens and a number of coops for them to sleep in - my partner sometimes at night overcrowds them putting maybe 7 to be in a coop that essentially should be for maybe 5 or 6. I can find peace with that, as this is when they sleep and they decide to sometimes sleep 7 to the coop and as long as this is for their sleep, they should be fine as they sleep, it's warm, they have companionship, etc. It's not the greatest sin to sleep a few more.
My problem is the morning. In my care, they need to be let out of the coop - meaning that when they are in there, there is no food, water, or air. They are in the coop literally with no door open. So in the morning, on his days he lets out 23 of the chickens but not the 7. So they have no food, water, overcrowded and they can see, hear the others out there eating, interacting, etc for up to 5 hours. Usually with chickens if they know others are eating, they usually want in on the action and get testy if they do not. I fear that they will take it out on each other in frustration - peck each other once, and game over...blood is blood and it could end in tears.
I come home in the morning, and find them locked up. He says - they'll be fine. I don't think they will - though on a few occasions, it's turned out ok because I get home to let them out. But I tell him it is a risk that you take. he reads forums that people go away for 2 weeks - I said that's not the same.
So regardless of whether or not it is often, infrequent, or otherwise - can those of you with chicken experience tell me, please..is this a real concern to leave chickens in the coop too long in the morning and is this a risk based on what I've explained?
Apologies for the asking to weigh in on a domestic issue regarding chicken care but I am going to ask for diplomacy.
I am the general carer for our chickens but I do rely on my partner to assist with their care...they for the most part adhere but occasionally do not. In those times, I say - this has to happen - they say why? I try to explain but it falls on deaf ears as I am 'health and safety' apparently and overzealous in my care. Am I?
We have 30 chickens and a number of coops for them to sleep in - my partner sometimes at night overcrowds them putting maybe 7 to be in a coop that essentially should be for maybe 5 or 6. I can find peace with that, as this is when they sleep and they decide to sometimes sleep 7 to the coop and as long as this is for their sleep, they should be fine as they sleep, it's warm, they have companionship, etc. It's not the greatest sin to sleep a few more.
My problem is the morning. In my care, they need to be let out of the coop - meaning that when they are in there, there is no food, water, or air. They are in the coop literally with no door open. So in the morning, on his days he lets out 23 of the chickens but not the 7. So they have no food, water, overcrowded and they can see, hear the others out there eating, interacting, etc for up to 5 hours. Usually with chickens if they know others are eating, they usually want in on the action and get testy if they do not. I fear that they will take it out on each other in frustration - peck each other once, and game over...blood is blood and it could end in tears.
I come home in the morning, and find them locked up. He says - they'll be fine. I don't think they will - though on a few occasions, it's turned out ok because I get home to let them out. But I tell him it is a risk that you take. he reads forums that people go away for 2 weeks - I said that's not the same.
So regardless of whether or not it is often, infrequent, or otherwise - can those of you with chicken experience tell me, please..is this a real concern to leave chickens in the coop too long in the morning and is this a risk based on what I've explained?
