Chickens are playing in the road.

[lagerlot1]

I have 6 red sex linked and 5 black sex linked hens and one rooster. We got them at Easter so they are approximately 18 weeks old. The rooster is big and the ladies are smaller. Will his size cause him to hurt them? Does every rooster have to have his spurs removed? I have been letting them free range (we have 3 1/2 acres) but lately they are playing in the roads. They have a 7 x 10 with an 8 foot ceiling coop and they have an 8 X 8 run with an 8 foot ceiling that is all chicken wire and 2 X 4 framing. They have pecked the vegetation clean and now when it rains they stand in mud will this hurt them? They have access to clean water and food and shelter from the elements at all times. I change their coop bedding every six weeks. Is their environment adequate for them until we can afford to buy some kind of containment fence for them? They are all docile including the rooster and follow my daughter and I everywhere. They almost caused an accident in front of our house by playing in the road. I feel bad because I can't let them free range now and I am thinking that I should find a home for them where they can run free but the selfish part of me says that my daughter and I would be crushed if we got rid of them. Sorry alot of info and questions hope someone can ease my guilt about putting them in chicken jail.

 

[Ridgerunner]

You migth look into this to help contain and protect your chickens. It might be easier than some other options.

Plastic electric fencing
http://www.premier1supplies.com/detail.php?prod_id=20170&cat_id=118

The rooster is big and the ladies are smaller. Will his size cause him to hurt them? Does every rooster have to have his spurs removed?

Most roosters are bigger than hens of their same breed. The way a rooster would hurt the hens is to cause a bare backed hen. This is where the rooster takes off the feathers of the hen when mating. It does depend on size, frequency, and technique. It is normal for a feather or two to occasionally come off during a mating and is no big deal. If you notice bare spots on the hens back or sides, you need to do something. He can seriously injure her if that develops. So observe and do a search or post with a specific question if you see that developing. Sometimes trimming spurs helps, but all roosters do not have to have their spurs removed.

They have pecked the vegetation clean and now when it rains they stand in mud will this hurt them?

A muddy run can contribute to disease. It can also be very unpleasant for you and can smell. You do need to try to give them a place to get out of the mud. This link may help.

Muddy Run
https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1642-fix-a-muddy-run

Is their environment adequate for them until we can afford to buy some kind of containment fence for them?

The coop and other conditions are fine but the run is too small for 12 chickens. You really need something bigger. The coop is plenty big enough, so that helps with the run size conditions, but I'd certainly be on the lookout for extra pecking, fighting, and feather picking.

Sorry alot of info and questions hope someone can ease my guilt about putting them in chicken jail.

You are obviously doing the best you can right now. It is a nice sized flock and you are lucky to have docile birds. I'd hate to change that. I'd certainly keep them out of the road. It is dangerous to people driving past, let alone the chickens. If you can just find a way to give them a little more space...

 

[fordmommy]

1-

2-you can remove the spurs if you want. But it is not nessessary.

http://www.freewebs.com/cajunyankee/spurs.htm

3-your space is big enough. That's plenty of room for them. They need 4x4 square feet each. With a perch or two...plenty.

4-I put down about 2" of playsand in my run and 3"-4" in my coop. I had dirt floors. This sand is cheap and makes everything very easy to clean. I got it from our local gravel company. Not from the stores in bags. I also use Red Lake DE which is "FEED" grade for the smell and bugs. And I use pine shavings for bedding.

5-Chicken wire and plastic 'all purpose' fencing is pretty cheap too. But maybe you could find some on craigslist for cheaper or even free.

I hope this helps you. Let us know if you've got more questions.

 

[Cherokeerainbow]

Electric fencing is a great idea....
but if your a bit strapped for the extra $$...
Would it be possible to convert your small pen there into a tractor? Move it to different sections of your yard?
I've had to do something similar as my girls noticed my neighbor has chickens too and decided to trespass, ugh.
Saving up for the elec fence though!

 

[lagerlot1]

We have decided to build their run up with gravel and sand and maybe some bark to help absorb some moisture. We are also going to expand their run by adding an additional 8 X 16 area but only making it 4 feet high. If they want to perch they will have to go to the tall part. Everything is wrapped in chicken wire ( top and sides) so they will be safe but they will have more space to roam. Thought about letting them out in smaller groups when my daughter gets home from school it would then be easier to keep an eye on them. Definitely weighs too much to turn it into a tractor. They are healthy and happy and all 11 of the ladies lay beautiful eggs so I guess we are doing okay so far. Thanks for all the advice.

 

[fordmommy]

You can look on craigslist for free stuff. Maybe something will catch your eye, down the line, that would make a good tractor. Then you can have both.

 

[lagerlot1]

We allowed them out today after hubby mowed the lawn. They are going bug happy right now and only 2 have wandered toward the road (Peep and Curious) I think they may be the ringleaders because the rest came when I called them (I give them pieces of bread and fruit when they come to me).