Vacation

[khiggins1112]

How long can I keep 8 chickens locked up in coop? I have a neighbor that will come over to provide food/water but worried about letting them free range all day when no one is at home, they get adventurous! I worry that locking them up all week would result in peeking and unhappy chickens. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated! I have 8 hens that will soon be laying eggs for the first time.

 

[PD-Riverman]

How long can I keep 8 chickens locked up in coop? I have a neighbor that will come over to provide food/water but worried about letting them free range all day when no one is at home, they get adventurous! I worry that locking them up all week would result in peeking and unhappy chickens. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated! I have 8 hens that will soon be laying eggs for the first time.

How big is the coop-----that would be the biggest thing? If you go on vacation often---it would be a good thing to set them up a secured chicken run with a automatic door to the coop so they can get out to sun, dust etc instead of being cooped up.

 

[khiggins1112]

How big is the coop-----that would be the biggest thing? If you go on vacation often---it would be a good thing to set them up a secured chicken run with a automatic door to the coop so they can get out to sun, dust etc instead of being cooped up.

The coop is sufficient for the 8 chickens. The run is only under the coop (same size) as it is elevated. I am more concerned about them being mischievous and wandering throughout the neighborhood. We have over an acre and one side is fenced but they would be free to go anywhere.

 

[aart]

sufficient for the 8 chickens

Hmmm...that sounds like a manufacturers tag line, which is usually far from healthy. Dimensions of coop and run in feet by feet, and pics, would allow for a more accurate assessment, if you're interested. Sorry, just trying to be honest and helpful.

I would be concerned by both scenarios, locked into a too small coop/run or free ranging without 'supervision'....especially when your birds are about to start laying, they can get pretty rambunctious and crabby at onset of lay and could also decide to start laying out in their range area.

Will you neighbor let them out every morning and then do a head count and lock them up after dark every evening?
How long will you be gone?

 

[PD-Riverman]

The coop is sufficient for the 8 chickens. The run is only under the coop (same size) as it is elevated. I am more concerned about them being mischievous and wandering throughout the neighborhood. We have over an acre and one side is fenced but they would be free to go anywhere.

No, never free range when you are not home----to many things can happen. I was talking about a bigger fenced in run that they can go out the coop into while you are gone---but still protected from predators. I use 10x10x6ft dog kennels(buy used for around $100---last a life time--almost)---easy to put up and take down if wanted to move---some wire across the top. Works Great.

 

[Ridgerunner]

If it is truly "sufficient" for 8 chickens then you don't have any worries. It's sufficient. But whose rules are you using to determine it's "sufficient"? Someone who thinks 1 square feet per chicken is sufficient (yes, I've seen that on this forum) or someone who thinks 15 square feet per chicken is sufficient, and that's only the coop. I've seen that on here too. If you want an honest assessment from us you really need to give sizes. I'm sorry but "sufficient" doesn't really tell me anything. You gave the ages so thanks for that.

It sounds like you are in suburbia with that 1 acre lot. I also would not be comfortable with them free ranging in that scenario.

Since you have a neighbor willing to help you should not need an automatic door, but I'd certainly want them secured at night. I don't know how soon you are leaving but without knowing sizes an additional run like a dog kennel, maybe with a top, could be fairly quick to manage.

 

[khiggins1112]

Hmmm...that sounds like a manufacturers tag line, which is usually far from healthy. Dimensions of coop and run in feet by feet, and pics, would allow for a more accurate assessment, if you're interested. Sorry, just trying to be honest and helpful.

I would be concerned by both scenarios, locked into a too small coop/run or free ranging without 'supervision'....especially when your birds are about to start laying, they can get pretty rambunctious and crabby at onset of lay and could also decide to start laying out in their range area.

Will you neighbor let them out every morning and then do a head count and lock them up after dark every evening?
How long will you be gone?

Definitely not manufactured, my husband built it, not from a manufacture plan either. But good to know about how they may be close to egg laying.