DH's idea of abuse

[desertgirl]

We have a great coop and a good sized run for our 5 chickens (we are urban dwellers). Unfortunately, one turned out to be a rooster, and crows dawn to dusk. I have found that keeping him in the coop with the door shut (dark) keeps him quiet until 9 or 10 (we then open the door), which I feel is much more considerate to my poor neighbours than the 6 or 7 he pulls when he is let out earlier (door left open). I also work nights and sleep during the day, and he wakes me up all day (not cool) so if I keep him just in the run and he is not allowed to free range, he crows much less and I get more sleep.

But my DH will say things like "oh, the poor chickens" or "we shouldn't keep them locked up all day". They have plenty of food,water and space....

He puts quite a lot of stock in BYCc's collective advice-am I being "cruel" or practical??

(I hope the advice is what I hope it to be or I'm going to have to get rid of my silkie rooster!).

 

[ChicknJ]

geez, I think that is an optimum solution for your roo. That roo will be just fine... and way less irritating inside that coop. I work nights too, and right now have 13 roosters crowing. I have to turn on a window A/C to drown them out.

 

[jenjscott]

There are lots of chickens who don't get out of the run. I am surprised you are willing to put up with it at all. Its poor chickies or momma goes nuts from lack of sleep.

 

[michickenwrangler]

Let them out for an hour or two in the evening. They'll be fine. That way you can sleep during the day and the chickens still get their "constitutional" for an hour or two. Watermelon rinds also go a long way to keeping them occupied

 

[BigSkyChickens]

HAHA, that's the argument I get from DBF when I want to leave the chickens in the run and get some actual yardwork done! (I supervise my girls when they are "free ranging" - we have hawks & neighborhood dogs...) "The chickens told me they wanted out." he will say......

You will be a better chicken-momma if you get regular sleep.

 

[blessedchickenmama7]

My chickens don't get out at all but they have a good sized run with way more space than they need. We don't think they are abused and they seem totally happy.

 

[desertgirl]

Whew! What a relief (both for my sleep habits and my chicken mommy state of mind!). Will show this to DH asap. Thank you, as always!!!!!

 

[saddina]

It's far safe for the birds to be in the run when you're not on hand to directly supervise.

 

[desertgirl]

Good point.