Chickens go home by themselves - is that normal?

[robleland]

We have a relatively small chicken cage, and so we let them out in the morning, and they walk around all day and, basically, kill all of our flowers. Oh well.
When dusk hits, the chickens walk back to their cage and fly up 2 1/2 feet into the coop by themselves. Naturally we are thrilled as usually they are underneath our deck or someplace difficult to corral them most of the day. Is that normal? Should they be on America's funniest videos??

 

[sourland]

Normal chicken behavior. Do you lock the in their coop at night? That is when they are very vulnerable to predation. Once attacked in their coop, they will try to roost any place else.

 

[tsiecz]

Very normal. Very amazing that once the sun hits the horizon,the parade starts back to the coop. Make sure the coop is secured everynight and locked up. Its there safe place and up to us to keep it that way.

 

[smkchick]

I wish.

My chicken tries to roost in the tree every night. Even after a 3-day lockdown. Now she's back in the coop for Day2 of her second incarceration.

*sigh*

 

[robleland]

Don't remember if I replied to your question - do we secure the chickens once they go home? Yes - lots of bolt locks. So far, so good.

While i'm at it, quick question on food - we fill their food bowls whenever they are empty. Are we overfeeding them??
thanks

 

[BlazeJester]

Chickens do not over-eat. Feed them as much as they will eat, and they'll keep giving you lots of eggs. It takes a lot of energy and nutrition to make all those eggs!!!

 

[mommissan]

Best part about having chickens! They are better about going to bed on time than my kids. Maybe I'll give the chickens their room and the kids can sleep in the coop.

 

[robleland]

re: going to bed on time... no kidding. And they wake up on time! And no fussing about clothing and the arguing amongst siblings.
(who knows, do chickens argue? maybe)...

 

[mommissan]

They fight over the favorite nest box- just like the kids and the favorite recliner. Hmmm..... drag that out to the coop too....

 

[jeepguy982001]

lol my chickens are definetly better at going to bed then my two yr old lol.