If you can't free roam, do chickens mind?

[chickenpaprikas7]

I have four young hens. My husband built a secure, predator proof coop which is 8x8..... This coop is really a walk in caged area with an actual chicken coop inside that has brooding boxes, perches, etc.

My chicken are happy as clams. But I have a huge yard and I'd like them to safely free roam. My husband built a coop-less tractor that I thought we could push up to the door of their predator safe "cage" and somehow get them in and then cart them around the yard.. This plan was "ill hatched". Can't get the chickens into the tractor.

So, my initial question is: can chickens live in a space that has no grass and still be healthy, happy egg layers?

Any other advice regarding safe roaming options are welcome.

Thank you, --Laura

 

[Bear1978]

They’re animals... They don’t think or reason like we do.. If all they’ve known is being in your coop and run area, then I don’t see why or how they would want anything more? Although they are smarter than a lot of people give them credit for. They’re not THAT smart.. I think we as chicken and/pet owners will often try to transpose our “feelings” into our pets and animal’s brains. We can easily over think stuff like that. As long as they have enough space to run around and not be on top of one another they’ll be fine. Now if you let them free range they will then most likely get a taste for it and not want to be inside the enclosure. I’ve heard of that happening. BUT, will they stare out of the fence with longing in their tearful little eyes pining to be on the other side. No.. I seriously doubt that. Like I said. They’re less intelligent animals and do not have reason and logic like us humans. So keep that in mind and good luck!

 

[Sammi_0411]

They truely wont know the difference as they never had it so they be fine long as thwy got enough space xx

 

[Sammi_0411]

But yes they very intelligent animals xx

 

[chickenpaprikas7]

They’re animals... They don’t think or reason like we do.. If all they’ve known is being in your coop and run area, then I don’t see why or how they would want anything more? Although they are smarter than a lot of people give them credit for. They’re not THAT smart.. I think we as chicken and/pet owners will often try to transpose our “feelings” into our pets and animal’s brains. We can easily over think stuff like that. As long as they have enough space to run around and not be on top of one another they’ll be fine. Now if you let them free range they will then most likely get a taste for it and not want to be inside the enclosure. I’ve heard of that happening. BUT, will they stare out of the fence with longing in their tearful little eyes pining to be on the other side. No.. I seriously doubt that. Like I said. They’re less intelligent animals and do not have reason and logic like us humans. So keep that in mind and good luck!

OK, so from an over all health perspective, chicken mood, egg laying, nutrition, it should be fine. You know I've been so pent up with the COVID outbreak, that I have been overthinking the chickens a lot. Some of it has been good b/c I had a steep learning curve and building a safe environment became a real priority. This site has been super helpful with all of this infor. Thanks for the response.

 

[Bear1978]

OK, so from an over all health perspective, chicken mood, egg laying, nutrition, it should be fine. You know I've been so pent up with the COVID outbreak, that I have been overthinking the chickens a lot. Some of it has been good b/c I had a steep learning curve and building a safe environment became a real priority. This site has been super helpful with all of this infor. Thanks for the response.

That’s understandable. I have a tendency to do that myself.

For my set up I have 6 pullets. Their coop is 6x4 with adequate ventilation and roost space.

I have an attached fully enclosed/covered run area that is 12x12 (144 sq ft). That is plenty for them. The grass is dead in the run area as they picked that clean within the first week of being out there. They have water source and food in the run and only water in the coop.

I clean the poop boards about every third day and change the water about that frequency ubless it’s extra dirty or hot outside; like today.

And they are very content.

A motto I live by with my career (as I’m an engineer) and what I frequent tell myself is this-

KISS

Keep
It
Simple
Stupid!

So yes, don’t over think it or you’ll drive yourself batty!

 

[TwoCrows]

If given enough space, things to entertain themselves and a good diet, they can thrive on little to no free ranging. My area is so loaded with predators both aerial and on the ground, I can only do supervised free ranging. My run is covered and large, I put in ladders, mirrors, stumps to jump on, hanging veggies and I will throw in a flake of alfalfa hay for their need of greens. Alfalfa, the 3 strand bales, are loaded with leaves, few stems, are high in protein, many vitamins and minerals. They can be quite content and healthy if you keep up with the stimulation.

 

[RobertaD1]

How long did you try to get them into the tractor? If its something is new, they want nothing to do with it. But, if you keep setting it up, and make it available to them from their run, they will go in and figure it out. Chickens hate change... but they are so nosy, they will want to see what it is. After a few days of them going in, close the door and move them around. Before you know it.... they will expect it every day!

But, they are ok confined....I just would keep trying

 

[chickenpaprikas7]

That’s understandable. I have a tendency to do that myself.

For my set up I have 6 pullets. Their coop is 6x4 with adequate ventilation and roost space.

I have an attached fully enclosed/covered run area that is 12x12 (144 sq ft). That is plenty for them. The grass is dead in the run area as they picked that clean within the first week of being out there. They have water source and food in the run and only water in the coop.

I clean the poop boards about every third day and change the water about that frequency ubless it’s extra dirty or hot outside; like today.

And they are very content.

A motto I live by with my career (as I’m an engineer) and what I frequent tell myself is this-

KISS

Keep
It
Simple
Stupid!

So yes, don’t over think it or you’ll drive yourself batty!

Thank you for all the feedback. Seems I have a very similar set up then!

 

[clickchicks]

Agreed if you already have the tractor, keep trying to use it! They probably don't need roaming time strictly speaking, but it would probably make them happy.

You can also try adding some tasty treats inside of the tractor to encourage them. I don't have an attached run to my coop right now either, but I have a little area off to the side that I've covered for them to scratch around in during the day. I throw sunflower seeds or mealworms in the direction I want them to go, and they run right for them.