keeping flock locked in due to avian flu

[aldarita]

With much pain in my heart I had to lock my three small flocks inside the runs this morning. I have been keeping an eye on the outbreaks near my area and I decided today that it was time to act since there have been two outbreaks near Dallas TX. One was found in a wild awl so that very much concerned me since there are many wild birds in my property (I live in the country and have lots of trees around).
I have to say, it was not an easy task. Not so much the work involved, but the heartache of keeping them locked in. They have been free roaming in a big yard for all their lives. Now I wonder what will happen with their behavior after being enclosed for several days (unfortunately there is no certainty as to when this will pass).
My flock of 18 hens (total) are of different ages, from 1 year old to 9 years. They are separated in 3 coops with plenty of room. Each coop has a very secured run. They have plenty of waterers as well as feeders. There are perches in the runs and dust areas. I am wondering if there are any suggestions to keep them entertain. I would like some entertainment that does not involve food. I do give them treats but want to keep them low. They eat layer feed and have access to oyster and egg shells 24/7

This is the coop we built for my girls last year, it also has a run 12 x 8, it has a metal roof

• aldarita
• Dec 24, 2012

later on, we decided the run was too small for my our 9 hens so we added a 40 x 12 to the original one and cut an opening so now they have access to the whole new run. We also built 2 dirt boxes because we thought they would fight less, however being as sweet and lovely chickens they are, they still fight for the boxes because they all want to be in the same one while the other is empty.

• aldarita
• Dec 24, 2012

We put up a partition in the middle of the long run, each end of the run has a coop. My older girls (9) live in the small cook (8 x 4) and I have 20 chicks at the other end of the run. They see each other everyday (for almost a week) I don't plan to integrate them until the babies are older and they can defend themselves.

• aldarita
• Jun 23, 2013

This is a pic that shows the hen door on the left and their buddy rooster

• aldarita
• Dec 24, 2012

these pictures are old, but they are still more or less the same. there have been some changes but the sizes have not changed

 

[sourland]

You have a great set up for your birds. Hopefully there will be minor problems in adjustment. Good luck.

 

[springvalley123]

Maybe you could set up a small compost bin in there--I have one outside the run, but it's made by 3 garden panels wrapped with hardware cloth, and a board in front to keep the contents in. You could probably build it out of a corner of the run and use 1-2 boards for the other side and front, held in place by concrete blocks if you have some on hand. My hens go there first thing every morning and find all kinds of larva.

 

[3KillerBs]

You might add interest to the space by adding "clutter" to the runs. That is, things for them to sit up on, go under, walk around, etc.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

This is what my run looked like last summer:

 

[aldarita]

that is such a great idea! I already have a compost barrel loaded with BSF larvae. I can just transfer the compost inside the run in some kind of structure. They will love to scratch an eat the grubs. Hopefully the mice won't get in the run. It is snake proof, but I have seen a mouse, it was a small one but a mouse nevertheless, getting in thru a quarter inch hardware cloth (I could not believe my eyes). Maybe if I can enclose the compost somehow and keep it closed at night.

 

[Mrs. K]

I am a believer in clutter - it allows birds to get out of sight of each other. It can really help. If you look in your run, there is a great deal of vertical space, but your chickens can't use it. Add platforms, mini walls, roosts, ladders, saw horses, boxes, wind breaks. It really helps birds get along.

 

[aldarita]

I will certainly do that. I'm moving all my step roosts inside after disinfecting. Concrete blocks with boards will also help. Thank you very much for the tips. Great advice!

 

[3KillerBs]

Concrete blocks with boards will also help.

I love blocks, bricks, pavers, etc.

You can do so much with them.

 

[Louisa Suggs]

With much pain in my heart I had to lock my three small flocks inside the runs this morning. I have been keeping an eye on the outbreaks near my area and I decided today that it was time to act since there have been two outbreaks near Dallas TX. One was found in a wild awl so that very much concerned me since there are many wild birds in my property (I live in the country and have lots of trees around).
I have to say, it was not an easy task. Not so much the work involved, but the heartache of keeping them locked in. They have been free roaming in a big yard for all their lives. Now I wonder what will happen with their behavior after being enclosed for several days (unfortunately there is no certainty as to when this will pass).
My flock of 18 hens (total) are of different ages, from 1 year old to 9 years. They are separated in 3 coops with plenty of room. Each coop has a very secured run. They have plenty of waterers as well as feeders. There are perches in the runs and dust areas. I am wondering if there are any suggestions to keep them entertain. I would like some entertainment that does not involve food. I do give them treats but want to keep them low. They eat layer feed and have access to oyster and egg shells 24/7

This is the coop we built for my girls last year, it also has a run 12 x 8, it has a metal roof

• aldarita
• Dec 24, 2012

later on, we decided the run was too small for my our 9 hens so we added a 40 x 12 to the original one and cut an opening so now they have access to the whole new run. We also built 2 dirt boxes because we thought they would fight less, however being as sweet and lovely chickens they are, they still fight for the boxes because they all want to be in the same one while the other is empty.

• aldarita
• Dec 24, 2012

We put up a partition in the middle of the long run, each end of the run has a coop. My older girls (9) live in the small cook (8 x 4) and I have 20 chicks at the other end of the run. They see each other everyday (for almost a week) I don't plan to integrate them until the babies are older and they can defend themselves.

• aldarita
• Jun 23, 2013

This is a pic that shows the hen door on the left and their buddy rooster

• aldarita
• Dec 24, 2012

these pictures are old, but they are still more or less the same. there have been some changes but the sizes have not changed

Beautiful run!!
I've used cabbage heads hanging from strings or pumpkins and watermelons to keep mine occupied on indoor days.

 

[Weeg]

I have forage mix on my Etsy shop that I'm using to keep my birds entertained during the "flockdown". They love it! I find it keeps them most entertained if I hang it in a equine hay net, or similar. I can post a link if your interested, otherwiseI hope you're able to keep your babies safe and happy during this craze.