I once saw a roo, freely roaming in a field

[MareeZoCool]

I wondered how that roo could be left to roam as he pleased. Then a farm hand friend told me the hens were tethered to posts spaced around the field and the roo wouldn't leave his flock. This was in Virginia. Is this anything common? I wouldn't think it was a safe idea for those hens.

 

[matthewschickens]

I am in VA and I have never heard if that in chickens! I know that people do it to cows but chickens??

 

[CoopCrazy]

I have seen hear in indiana , sadly it usually is game hens here and the roo is just there to fertilize eggs so they can raise fighting cocks..

 

[herefordlovinglady]

I have not heard of hens being tied (not saying it isn't true, just haven't heard of it) We have several farms around here that have the roos tied with little shelters for each of them. I got my game hens from one of them. The feds have shut down several cock fighting rings around here and these farms have been associated. I wish now i would of gotten some of the roos and rescued them.

 

[MareeZoCool]

Thanks, everyone & Mathews, I kinda thought that farm hand was telling me a big story. it just didn't make sense. I knew I could get the truth here! It's fascinating how differently people raise chickens. I'm glad we use humane practices here in the USA!

 

[silkydragon]

i dont even tie any of mine up they just stay close to home theres no fence around the yard we have 40acres but the chickens only roam like 2acres of it and stay in the yard and only go out in the field if they are following me out there when i go for a walk which they only follow me a little way then head back to the comfort of the yard

 

[matthewschickens]

Quote:
I have heard of that being done to game roos

but again I have never heard of it in VA!

 

[redturtle]

ive not seen it here in VA either...and ive been around a lot of different farmland...even way out in the sticks up in the mtns...how odd...no shelter/shade for the hens?

 

[herefordlovinglady]

there is town here in Geogia called Vidalia, you may of heard of because of the famous Vidalia Onions, anyway, when you drive through the town there are chickens and roosters free ranging all over the place. It is kind of neat to ride through the town and see all the chickens roaming the streets. They all look healthy and happy, like it's their town.