What does an unhappy chicken look like/sound like?

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Anonymous

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Dear All,
What on earth would I do without this forum? For nervous newbies like me, it's absolutely indispensible.
Here's the next worry...

I feel under some pressure to get rid of my birds becasue it's 'not fair to keep them cooped up'. This comes from a friend (a generation above me) who I genuinely believe only has the birds best interests at heart. His 5 hens and a cockerel have 2 whole fields to themselves, but I don't have 2 fields.

I've already asked the question regarding space and should 'have enough' - I've had to compromise with hubby and keep them in their enclosure, but that is 140 square feet for 2 bantams and 2 LF (with 2 more bantams to go in when i've cleared up the scaly leg etc). The henhouse is for 10 bantams.

My girls don't scream and squawk, nor do they fight. I sprinkle their layers pellets around the ground and they like scratching for them along with having a hopper of pellets and fresh water in there as well. Some of the ground is gravel and they really love that. When I come out they coming running and chattering to see if I've got anything for them. They get a mixture of layers pellets, peas and mixed corn in the afternoons as a treat.

I've been struggling with treatment resistant depression for years and have been barely able to leave the house. Since I got my girls 5 weeks ago I'm out there every day, cleaning and talking to them, and have even built a raised bed and dug a veg garden! I'm really enjoying this time and getting a lot out of it, but I would hate to have that at the expense of the hens.
They would kick up a fuss if they were unahppy, would't they? Surely I'd be able to tell?

Thanks.
Liz
 
Hi Liz, they are fine-plenty of space so please don't worry about them- i am sure they have a five star home :) Just relax and enjoy them- especially as spring has finally sprung!!! :)
David :)
 
Hi Liz, mine are able to free range but one of my neighbours keeps a number of chickens in runs all the time, certainly no bigger than you describe. She's had them for years, they all lay and seem very contented and she's very experienced and would know an unhappy chicken (and loves hers dearly). So I think yours must be fine, and it's lovely that they're doing you so much good. They do become addictive very quickly I know.
 
Liz, relax & continue enjoying your chooks, they're fine. By the sounds of it living the life of Riley :D

My chooks have to live in an enclosed run too, & when I first got them I worried that they'd get bored, develop health problems, be unhappy etc but not at all, even the newest 2 who came from living in a paddock settled in without any 'pining for the wild open spaces!' :lol:

Your friend probably doesn't mean to put you under pressure, & I'm sure if we all had 2 fields to keep 6 chooks in we would, but for those who don't your area is fine. I think the regulation area is something like 1 sq mtr of outdoor space per bird so you've got plenty. Enjoy!
 
I think what you've got is fantastic for your hens
Please don't worry or feel pressured by anyone, just relax and enjoy them, mine don't get to free range every day.

I think i'd be really tempted be be very cheeky and as this ' friend' to donate you some ground so you can keep more chickens :lol:
 
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