MJ's little flock

[BY Bob]

I know this observation is the opposite of popular opinion, but every time the hens are confined to their run, they do much better than they do with free ranging in their day.

More poops than usual and they're more thoroughly digested than usual. Weight gains. Cheerful attitudes.

Maybe the forage in my backyard (what there is of it) is unhealthy? Katie has got her energy back in full and her comb is turning red. Mary and Peggy look like a pair of feathered happy buddhas. Melissa doesn't let being in the run stop her from chasing pigeons or hopping up on things.

The difference is clear and almost immediate.

You have done quite the job making sure the run is the best environment it can be for them that your observation could be correct. How often do you let them out into the full yard? What portions of the yard do they favor when let out? Maybe there is some environmental modification you could do in the yard as well. Focusing on the areas they frequent the most.

 

[MaryJanet]

Lovely sunrise this morning.

There was a dolphin too. Might've been more than one. They had a bait ball and the seagulls were diving into it for breakfast.

 

[MaryJanet]

How often do you let them out into the full yard?

When not quarantining, every day, more precisely 363 days a year to allow for any events that keep me from home.

What portions of the yard do they favor when let out?

They mostly stay under the shady shrub but nibble on anything.

To be honest, if they continue to flourish in the run, why mess with that? They can stay in the run if it provides the healthiest lifestyle. After all, it's so few hens in such a big space.

That said, once quarantine is over, of course the hens will be allowed out if they wish. They haven't even started weeding the front yard yet.

 

[MaryJanet]

I love the period of calculation before she leaps!

I like her self-talk

I got this. Yep. I got this. Come on. Jump. No. Sums. Sums. I got this. Yep. Yep. Yep. Ready. Measure again. Sums. Cross checks. Conditions. I got this. Yep. Ready. And. 3 2 1... WHO MOVED THE BEAM!! THAT'S NOT FUNNY.

 

[RoyalChick]

I like her self-talk

I got this. Yep. I got this. Come on. Jump. No. Sums. Sums. I got this. Yep. Yep. Yep. Ready. Measure again. Sums. Cross checks. Conditions. I got this. Yep. Ready. And. 3 2 1... WHO MOVED THE BEAM!! THAT'S NOT FUNNY.

Oh I have so missed your chicken talk translations!

 

[Shadrach]

When not quarantining, every day, more precisely 363 days a year to allow for any events that keep me from home.

They mostly stay under the shady shrub but nibble on anything.

To be honest, if they continue to flourish in the run, why mess with that? They can stay in the run if it provides the healthiest lifestyle. After all, it's so few hens in such a big space.

That said, once quarantine is over, of course the hens will be allowed out if they wish. They haven't even started weeding the front yard yet.

Early days and no mum to show them the ropes. It's a scary world out there.

The mums from the tribes used to frog march their chicks around the various tribes territories. Absolutely no doubt about what they were doing. They showed the youngsters the food stations, the major dust bath spots, best cover and who was who. I'm sure a lot more information was passed on in the process.
The right amount of room for a group of chickens is the amount they will use. They are self limiting in my experience, almost predictable. Not much has changed regarding territory size from what I've read co,pared to wild jungle fowl.

I expect your juveniles will want to explore in the near future.

 

[BY Bob]

When not quarantining, every day, more precisely 363 days a year to allow for any events that keep me from home.

They mostly stay under the shady shrub but nibble on anything.

To be honest, if they continue to flourish in the run, why mess with that? They can stay in the run if it provides the healthiest lifestyle. After all, it's so few hens in such a big space.

That said, once quarantine is over, of course the hens will be allowed out if they wish. They haven't even started weeding the front yard yet.

It is very important that chickens have assignments otherwise they can lose their purpose. Mine are working on their gardening now.

 

[BY Bob]

I like her self-talk

I got this. Yep. I got this. Come on. Jump. No. Sums. Sums. I got this. Yep. Yep. Yep. Ready. Measure again. Sums. Cross checks. Conditions. I got this. Yep. Ready. And. 3 2 1... WHO MOVED THE BEAM!! THAT'S NOT FUNNY.

Perfect! You always know them so well.

 

[MaryJanet]

Early days and no mum to show them the ropes. It's a scary world out there.

The mums from the tribes used to frog march their chicks around the various tribes territories. Absolutely no doubt about what they were doing. They showed the youngsters the food stations, the major dust bath spots, best cover and who was who. I'm sure a lot more information was passed on in the process.
The right amount of room for a group of chickens is the amount they will use. They are self limiting in my experience, almost predictable. Not much has changed regarding territory size from what I've read co,pared to wild jungle fowl.

I expect your juveniles will want to explore in the near future.

I've started making a small run out of puppy play pen panels for the pullets. It'll be around the quarantine coop and the older hens will remain in their big run, so there shouldn't be any contamination.

I hope to finish this project today, along with a second sawhorse that I hope will reduce pecking at roosting time.

 

[RoyalChick]

It is very important that chickens have assignments otherwise they can lose their purpose. Mine are working on their gardening now.

View attachment 4087872

Mine were assigned scrub clearance duty. I was working alongside them but was less productive.
Those feet of theirs are really way more effective than my garden fork.