Spoiling my chooks: is it bad?

[luckyramu]

Greetings BYC peeps.

I've started letting my chooks root around in my 1/2 acre back yard while supervised. They are still a bit young (5 weeks maybe?). I only have 8, and for some reason take great pleasure in watching them running from one leafy area to another, and digging around in the bushes.

My wife has made it clear that I'm spoiling them. When I left for work, they cried to be let out of the run. They had to wait till I got home in the afternoon. I let them out, and let them go about their business for a couple of hours.

Is it wrong to spoil your chooks? I know I'm gonna keep letting them out. They have just too much fun. I'm guessing most BYC peeps spoil their chooks too.

Anywhoot,
thanks

 

[Munkeesmama]

I think it's fine. I also don't think it's spoiling them to let them free-range outside the coop. It's good for them and you! (Just think of how hummy those free-range eggs wil be. Mmm).

 

[Mahonri]

You are just a good chicken daddy.

 

[4 luv of eggs]

Happy chickens are good layers. Let your wife know that they will reward you for being spoiled. Besides, they're busy cultivating the soil, fertilizing it, weeding and removing unwanted bugs. And you get eggs to boot!

 

[Centralflafred]

It's not a problem. Besides, if you make them wait till you get home from work every day it will get them used a daily routine, at least that's the way mine are. I go out and do all my chicken stuff every day when I get home and try to go out at 4:30. If I wait longer than that the rooster will start letting me know what time it is.

 

[Cetawin]

ummmm that is not spoiling them...that is merely letting them be chickens and do chicken stuff. When you bake for them like I do mine....that is spoiling them. hahahaha

My 19 chickens and 11 ducks free range every day from about 10am - 6 or 7 pm (now that there are longer daylight hours)....they never really leave the back and side yard, so they roam on about an acre. see them here in the backyard:

They get scrambled eggs and grits a couple times per week for their breakfast

watching them outside enjoying the sunshine, grass and bug chasing is very enjoying to me as well.

 

[elmo]

As others have said, that's not spoiling them. That's letting them be chickens as nature intended, and I think it's wonderful. Sitting watching my chickens is what I call my "chicken therapy." There's nothing more relaxing. It's great for them, and for you! Get another lawn chair for your wife and see if you can persuade her to join you. I have some great conversations with my husband while we're out in our yard watching our chickens.

 

[mlove]

I let my 8 week old chicks out to free range in our yard each day around 3:30. I love watching them run around, chase bugs and search for goodies. My only problem is that they come on our covered patio and leave me little gifts which my husband is not so thrilled about.

 

[baileychic]

Hmmm..... I would love to let my chickens and ducks free range, but I am nervous! I live on about 2 acres surrounded by cornfields and set back from a busy country road. Do they know by nature not to go in the road? I have seen other peoples chickens down the way just going about thier business on the side of the road. Am I just being a scaredy cat????? I would love to let them out supervised during the day. I'm just afraid the 25 chickens and 11 ducks will scatter and I'll never catch them. My worst fear is that they will run in the road

 

[chickensioux]

Yay! Spoil them rotten!!!!