Pullets eating each other’s bum feathers

[Redhead Rae]

I’ve been thinking of a solution to give them more outdoor space. I have a side yard on the same side as the coop which is on my north side and I don’t use for anything. I’m thinking of creating a tube or tunnel to the side yard and then gating it off. This would create an extra “run” that would be pretty predator resistant.

Sounds like a great strategy. I would make the "tunnel" at least 2-3ft wide so birds can get past each other easily and keep 2 more sources of water in the "extra run"

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Here is the coop. I agree the space is a little tight. I was having some rat issues and stopped putting scratch on the floor of the run but I just added a hardware cloth skirt yesterday so I should be able to start that again. Food and water are hanging in the run to free up space in the coop(not pictured this was taken before I moved them)

I’ve been thinking of a solution to give them more outdoor space. I have a side yard on the same side as the coop which is on my north side and I don’t use for anything. I’m thinking of creating a tube or tunnel to the side yard and then gating it off. This would create an extra “run” that would be pretty predator resistant.

There you go!! @aart do you have a link to chunnels? (chicken tunnels)

I do like the looks of your coop/run -nice, clean and tidy. I think if they have more outdoor space/things to do, this will help tremendously with the picking.

 

[aart]

@aart do you have a link to chunnels? (chicken tunnels)

I thought I did, but can't find it...but:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/search/51111044/?q=chunnel&t=post&o=relevance&c[title_only]=1

 

[WindingRoad]

I'd switch to 20%, which should be available in a farm equipment/feed chain, or is here, anyway

I fed 22% all winter. Got eggs from each most every day. I don't see any plucking. One of my SLW loves to preen my BO. She's very gentle at about.

 

[kwhites634]

I would put up a 4ft fence without a top around the coop and you can let them out on nice days.

I wouldn't, unless I was going to sit out there & babysit the whole time they were "loose"

 

[Redhead Rae]

I wouldn't, unless I was going to sit out there & babysit the whole time they were "loose"

I use 4ft unelectrified chicken netting and most of my birds stay in. I have a few wanderers who get their wings clipped. Of course, most of my birds are heavy breeds, Cornish, Cochins, etc. My wanderers are usually EEs or Guineas

 

[kwhites634]

I use 4ft unelectrified chicken netting and most of my birds stay in. I have a few wanderers who get their wings clipped. Of course, most of my birds are heavy breeds, Cornish, Cochins, etc. My wanderers are usually EEs or Guineas

I wasn't thinking of chickens flying out, but avian predators flying in.

 

[Redhead Rae]

I wasn't thinking of chickens flying out, but avian predators flying in.

Must depend on location. I have hawks but they leave my birds alone. My main predators are opossums, coons and coyotes.

 

[imnukensc]

I wasn't thinking of chickens flying out, but avian predators flying in.

My birds free range on over 2 acres every day nearly all day. It's 41 F today and rainy. I can promise you I'm not out there babysitting them today--or any day. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[aart]

My birds free range on over 2 acres every day nearly all day. It's 41 F today and rainy. I can promise you I'm not out there babysitting them today--or any day. Different strokes for different folks.

They are probably safer than birds confined and smaller roofless enclosure...think 'fishing in a barrel'.