Going on week long vacation....

[smsmichaela]

Hi,
I have two 4 month old hens, and we are leaving Sunday for a week long vacation. We have a coop with an enclosed free range enclosure for our hens. However, we let tgem free range in our back yard all day when we are home. I am so anxious about having them in just the enclosed area, as they get nervous and squak non stop if I just leave them in there and don't put them out for full yard free ranging. My fear is they will be so upset and make so much noise that our neighbors will get upset. Will they get used to it? I have been leaving them in this enclosure much more this week but they do squak ALOT and pace back and forth. Also, Im concerned about all the poop that will accumulate, as I clean it up every day.

I am having a sitter feed and water them each day, and she will be in and out several times a day as she is taking care of our dogs too.

I am so nervous I am not even looking forward to the vacation. Any one have ideas, input, etc? This picture is my set up. There is Poutry netting all above the fencing and over top of gazebo.

 

[smsmichaela]

We also added this tree for more area of cover....

 

[Sarahal88]

I haven't had chickens that long but I would guess they will be fine. If you only have 2 in there, they have plenty of space. Yes, more space is great, but the minimum recommendation is 10 square feet of outdoor run space per bird and I am certain you have more than that available for them there. I would think they'll figure out quickly that they aren't going to get out and give up. Your birds are different breeds than mine, but mine aren't loud when they want out. They just stand at the door and wait. They are loud when they lay eggs.

Maybe to ease your worry, you could try putting some interesting new things in the run while you are gone. I break off pine boughs for my hens and pile them in their run. It give them shade, the peck at the needs and enjoy perching on the branches. Maybe that will distract them a little from not being free.

I am so glad I live in an agricultural district where no one can (or would) complain about the noise of my chickens, though. Hope your neighbor will be reasonable!

 

[smsmichaela]

Thank you so much for your input and for the suggestion of putting pine boughs and other new things in there to keep them occupied!

On another note, my chickens haven't started laying eggs yet, and I had no idea that they made noise while they lay eggs! Is it painful for them?