Is it humane to keep chickens in coop 24/7?

[Beekissed]

I advocate getting your pup first and getting a good relationship going, good obedience training done and making sure he is tuned into your needs. THEN get chickens. Dogs do not view chickens as an animal that owns a territory and thus is careful of misbehaving there. That yard will be YOUR territory in which you allow the pup to be, then the chickens, etc. In this order of things, the pup will view you as pack leader and himself and chickens under your dominion. YOUR chickens, not HIS, nor his rivals or even prey.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

The answer to your question is YES. Chickens bear confinement well, they don't HAVE to be allowed free access to your yard or garden. They will be more content if they have the recommended amount of room in which to move about in their pen, and especially if they have some dirt there in which to dig, and some fresh green stuff to peck.

Happy chickeneering!

 

[Yay Chicks!]

Beekissed makes a good point. I have two older dogs and they are not allowed in the side of the yard with the chickens. We got the lab as an adult and I believe she was trained for hunting, but has a 'hard mouth.' She believes birds belong in her mouth and she 'retrieves' but clamps down too hard. (She killed a baby crow this way - she was bringing it to me - thanks

). So, I would recommend good dog training as well as close supervision around your chickens...especially if you plan to get a 'bird dog' like a lab.

 

[kichohana]

My happy chickens live in total confinement. They have a coop with an attached run that is totally covered. The girls have multiple roosts in their run and the bottom is covered with 5" of sand for their scratching and dust-bathing enjoyment. Their coop has 2 big windows predator proofed with hardware cloth. For my 4 girls they have 2 nestboxes which they alternate laying in. They cluck and chatter everytime they see me coming outside and i reward them with table scraps and treats from my garden.

If you give them enough room, they can be completely happy in confinement. It's not like a egg-farm where they are caged and cannot move about. I have over an acre of land, but have 2 dogs that are not trained to "mind their manners" around the girls. I also have foxes, coyotes, possum and raccoons where I live so it is much safer to keep them enclosed. I am also an avid gardener and know what kind of damage chickens can do to a landscape with their scratching.

You will find answers to all your questions here...

 

[Loddie Da]

Quote:
You are most welcome.

I would count on getting 4.5 eggs a week per a Hen of your run of the mill breeds...Some will lay more, some may lay less, so I would do the math like this "I want 24 eggs a week so at 4.5 eggs a bird I will need 5 or 6 Hens." If you are getting a "layer breed" 5.75 eggs per week is about right for your math.

If you want them to lay in the winter you should put a light in their coop/run for atleast 8 hours...10-12 hours being best.

I would get your girls & then the Puppy...So from day one s/he knows that Chickens are part of our family, that being said it's all in the training. A Lab is a hunting, bird dog...not the best choice for a home with Chickens, but they are easily trained so that's an up side. We all will have our own views on the Puppy, what ever you do don't overwelm yourself with to many new critters at once, take time to enjoy them & post lots of pics when you get them.

I would get the Puppy after the Chicks are out of the brooder, otherwise s/he mighty be able to brake in & none of us want to see that happen.

I also would like to tell you you should have a nest for every 2-3 Hens you have so 2 should be good for you & if the first few eggs have blood on them it's okay, that happens with some "first borns" it will go away after a few eggs, she just needs to strech out. that being said it should only be a drop or two anymore & she may need help.

I hope you find the answers to all your questions & if not feel free to post to us, once again welcome to BYC