- Aug 27, 2014
- 7
- 0
- 45
Hello my friends!
I am new to this whole, "chicken/fresh eggs daily" thing. That being said, I have a 4 chicken coop (with 4 chickens) without a run. I live on a mountain and have numerous predators, i.e. coyote, fox, raccoon, dogs, wild cats and, even mountain lion. So, I can't put the coop anywhere other than on my deck which is somewhat protected. I have sawdust in the nesting area, but have nothing on the ground elsewhere. Am I being inhumane by not letting my chicks have a run? Do they have to have dirt to bathe in? They are so beautiful as I have raised them from 3 days old and they lay about an egg every other day. Also, do I need to give them oyster shell on the side if I feed them left over greens and food other than the grain I buy for them?
I am new to this whole, "chicken/fresh eggs daily" thing. That being said, I have a 4 chicken coop (with 4 chickens) without a run. I live on a mountain and have numerous predators, i.e. coyote, fox, raccoon, dogs, wild cats and, even mountain lion. So, I can't put the coop anywhere other than on my deck which is somewhat protected. I have sawdust in the nesting area, but have nothing on the ground elsewhere. Am I being inhumane by not letting my chicks have a run? Do they have to have dirt to bathe in? They are so beautiful as I have raised them from 3 days old and they lay about an egg every other day. Also, do I need to give them oyster shell on the side if I feed them left over greens and food other than the grain I buy for them?