Have we spoiled our chickens?

[Nightowlmom]

This summer I build a run for our new chickens. While I was working on it, we let the chickens free range in our yard (fenced in but good size). During the building process I had to keep the chickens out (or the hammering chased them out!) of the area. They seemed to really like it.

Now that it's done and secure enough to let them roam free inside the run without having someone watch them, they seem terribly unhappy. They want out. They literally sit by the door unless they go to eat or drink. Once I saw our brahma try to fly through the door (though I'm sure that was only once since hardware cloth couldn't have felt very good).

If we go outside to check on them, they make a huge fuss which after some searching online seems to be the "WE WANT OUT" noise. I built the run so secure because we have some feral cats around that would be happy to eat them (and other predators like the hawks that have moved in this summer). I want them to have space and some freedom but we can't let them free range without supervision. We only have the four and they are our little chickies and they need to stay safe.

So did the weeks I let them free range while I was building spoil them too much? Will they settle down into the run? I feel so bad when I hear their cries and protests!

Thanks!
Crystle

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

And that's why I'm willing to risk losing some to predators, it's going to take a long while for them to forget that sweet freedom, maybe even until next spring. Sorry. Goofy chickens, they do have a long memory and like a constant routine.

 

[Zackman23434]

This is why I'm sad for mine when I have to leave Monday for 7 days. They are 14 weeks old and have been let out of the run at least a part of every day since 7 weeks old. They will probably not be let out while I'm gone as I told my sitter I didn't expect them to sit out there because they can't leave once they come out of the run until sun down when they go in. I will be thinking about them. They sure do have a routine. Once out of the run, they always pick around the coop for maybe 15-30 seconds and then all take off on a run/wing flap to the other side of the yard. It's almost as if they are stretching their wings with a burst of energy from being pent up. It's literally every time they come out like clock work.

 

[donrae]

It's not really spoiled, it's that animals like routine and any changes to that are met with protest.

I totally free ranged my flock for years until I got tired of chicken poop on the porch. Built a run and confined them...they weren't happy, but it didn't take but a week or so for them to get used to it.

It's just like raising kiddos. they're not always going to like what you do, but you're the boss and know best.

 

[aart]

It's not really spoiled, it's that animals like routine and any changes to that are met with protest.

I totally free ranged my flock for years until I got tired of chicken poop on the porch. Built a run and confined them...they weren't happy, but it didn't take but a week or so for them to get used to it.

It's just like raising kiddos. they're not always going to like what you do, but you're the boss and know best.

Ditto Dat^^^^

Be the Keeper!!
They'll get over it.