Is it cruel to have chickens if they can't free range?

[ChicKat]

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Hi Nancy,

Welcome to the forum.--- sounds like your chickens have it nice, and they are protected--which is the MOST important thing!

 

[Gargoyle]

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I agree that protecting them is the main thing. As to brain size, most of us only use a small fraction of our gray matter, so I'm not sure that we're that much smarter than they are, and I've known people who are much less sensitive than my chickens.

Welcome to BYC, I do look forward to more perspective from you, it all adds to the richness of this place.

 

[StarLover21]

No.

 

[6chickens in St. Charles]

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Cute video. BTW, I'm guessing I'm about 5 or 6 miles north of you.

We have 4 chickens in a fully enclosed and covered run, 8 x 20 feet, with a 4 x 5 foot coop inside it. The interior space is 5-1/2 to 6 feet high, so I can walk around in there, and it has perches, rocks, a dust bath and other stuff to keep them occupied. They seem to find plenty to do in there. I don't think I'd want more than four birds in that space.

Hello!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Pictures? I was out with mine this morning, wishing I had cupholders for my morning coffee LOL! Do you have cupholders in yours?

 

[Gargoyle]

6chickens in St. Charles :

Pictures? I was out with mine this morning, wishing I had cupholders for my morning coffee LOL! Do you have cupholders in yours?

I've just added more pictures to my BYC page. No cupholders, but that's a very good idea. Right now I just have a block of limestone that I sit on.

 

[redmacbear23]

Hi,
We have 6 hens and a roo in a 10'X14' chain link dog kennel, with an adjacent 4'X4'Coop, and they are fine. We have bears, cougars, coyotes, hawks, eagles, so the very protected yard(with strong wire fencing for roof) is essential. Over that we have a poly, opaque roof to keep snow off the yard. I feed spinach and sprouts, as well as feed, and spread fresh hay from the barn and I get eggs year-around. The chickens follow us all over while we feed. They are perfectly happy and safe. Chickens are after all, chicken..


Happy Chickens in Colorado and NOT free-range.

 

[ruffles]

Our 26 chickens are not free range. If they were, I would most likely lose half or all in one day, due to predators , or despite being set back quite a distance, they could still meander onto the street .

Each of our three groups of chickens have over 45 feet of kennel space, with covering,

Our chickens are happy, they get attention, crave attention, and most likely do not know about free ranging.

 

[teach1rusl]

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x2
10 sq. ft in the run is pretty much the minimum suggested per bird when they're primarily contained. Or if you know your space will be limited, go for breeds that are very mild mannered, such as silkies, cochins, etc. Build your run as large as you can.

 

[dragonlair]

Because of my dogs, the neighbors dogs and the fox and hawks and eagles (oh my!) my flock cannot free range. They have a nice big yard made from chain link kennel panels with a top over it. They don't appear to be traumatized or depressed by not being allowed to run around my yard. They are healthy and I give them a varied diet to make up for their lack of freedom.

 

[CheekyChicky44]

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agreed.