Chicken Guilt...

[NarleevilleClucks]

I'm in Maryland and we've had a fairly atrocious winter. I didn't think at Easter time when I got my chix that this winter would be so harsh! I know that they have a good coop, they have space and are keeping warm, being fed well and watered enough...yet I feel TERRIBLE for them! Just the thought of being "cooped" up for so long makes me crazy - let alone my poor girls who actually are being cooped up. It also doesn't help that I've been working full time for the past six weeks, covering for my office manager whose on maternity leave, and have been relying on my husband and son to care for them since I'm leaving first and getting home after dark when the girls are asleep for the night. I fell like a neglectful mother...I can NOT WAIT TILL SPRING!!!!!!

Anyone else having chicken guilt or am I absolutely crazy?

 

[eponagirl]

I was feeling a little bad for mine, so I started free ranging them...though there is snow, it gives them something to think about! Predators are low in our yard this time of year, so I felt ok about it (plus I only do it an hour or two before roost time). Though it sounds like you are in a bind, what with the guys taking care of them instead of you.
I also shoveled out the run and they will walk around in there now, so not so "cooped" up.

Anyway, hang in there! Spring will be here eventually....I sympathize with ya!

 

[hen-thusiast]

I feel a little guilty, especially when (like today) I finally got to let them out for a bit and they were so happy and excited and were running and flying everywhere. Most days I only see them before they have gotten up or after they are back in bed. I feel bad because I don't know if anybody is injured or sick.

I just try to remind myself that while I feel bad for them, they are really lucky and spoiled chickens.... and that spring should be here soon.

 

[CityChook]

I always feel bad in the wintertime when it's sooooo cold and yucky outside. And they are spoiled spoiled spoiled.

But soon spring will be here - well, okay, in 2 months it will be here - and there will be tons of bugs and green grass for the taking. I think that's why spring is so awesome - it's highly anticipated by everyone!!

 

[dwegg]

i race home from work and have mostly stopped going to the gym just so I can let the girls out and spend some time with them.

 

[gryeyes]

I'm with ya.

Although winters here in the Sacramento area are mild, compared to so many others, I still feel bad for the chickens in the mucky run. It's that adobe stuff, and I ALSO feel bad when *I* slip and fall on my behind in it.

Yesterday I drove to Lowe's and bought 40 one-foot square pavers to make a path and two little four-square "patios" in the run for 'em to settle when it's NOT raining. I noticed they like laying against some bricks on days with some breaks in the clouds - figured the pavers would be better for that purpose.

'Course, I got my car stuck in the muck when I tried to drive to the closest gate to unload the pavers......

That was not fun at all.

But the chickens started investigating the "patios" right away.