New lifestyle for my girls

[Jocko1]

I have had my chickens since August 18, and since that time they have been free ranged over four acres of land but due to a recent predator problem I had to fence them in and I know they aren’t happy. There are only nine and they have about a eight by twenty five foot area but I can tell they miss their freedom. Any suggestions, they are a good bunch of girls.

 

[SunHwaKwon]

Is that the biggest you can make their run? You can slowly add onto it to give them a bigger space.

 

[ValerieJ]

Were the predator problems during the day? Can they have some free range time but go back into their coop and run at night? I have fenced in a large area, about 60x70 and it's big enough for my girls to feel like they are free ranging. It is complicated keeping them safe in that large of an area, but doable.

 

[aart]

I have had my chickens since August 18, and since that time they have been free ranged over four acres of land but due to a recent predator problem I had to fence them in and I know they aren’t happy. There are only nine and they have about a eight by twenty five foot area but I can tell they miss their freedom. Any suggestions, they are a good bunch of girls.

They'll get over it, but it may take time.
Add 'enrichment' items to distract them from their confinement.
2x2's and branches for roosts in run. Logs, stumps, pallets leaned against wall or up on concrete blocks, grazing frames, old table/chairs/benches.

 

[jthornton]

When I run out of dried leaves like now I put a bale of straw in the chicken yard and let them tear it up... then I pile it up again and they tear it down again... lots of fun for me and them.

JT

 

[Jocko1]

They'll get over it, but it may take time.
Add 'enrichment' items to distract them from their confinement.
2x2's and branches for roosts in run. Logs, stumps, pallets leaned against wall or up on concrete blocks, grazing frames, old table/chairs/benches.

I took many of these suggestions and added to the pen, I also have a raised 6x8 coop and put a lot of soil under it and basically it seems like a sand box to them, so they are doing better. They get a spiked head of cabbage to play with often and a 1/4 melon or cantalope daily.

 

[aart]

I took many of these suggestions and added to the pen, I also have a raised 6x8 coop and put a lot of soil under it and basically it seems like a sand box to them, so they are doing better.

That's good!