Hens always want out of the run

[Tude]

Hi All,

My four girls are about 8 months old now and they are healthy, friendly, and recently started laying eggs. I bought a smaller coop/run combo for them that's in our backyard, and they seem happy to roost and lay in the small henhouse at night. The problem is, once they wake up in the morning they want out! When we are at home we usually let them out into one or two areas of the backyard so they can run around, but they need to live in the run when we are not home (we have a suburban backyard, dogs, and a garden they will destroy if we let them free range 24/7). If we don't let them out in the morning they pace by the door of the run, and one in particular works herself up into a frenzy at times, throwing herself at the door and pacing the run.

Is this normal given this situation? Our neighbors with chickens that don't let them out (and treat them more like caged livestock don't seem to have this problem). Any suggestions? Am I spoiling my chickens?

 

[FrostRanger]

How big are your coop and run in feet?
Pictures would also be helpful
Many prefab coops are way too small for the amount of birds they claim will fit

That said, it is normal for birds that are used to freeranging to want to be let out when they see you. As long as their coop and run are big enough, it's not really anything to worry about

 

[Evadig]

Hi All,

My four girls are about 8 months old now and they are healthy, friendly, and recently started laying eggs. I bought a smaller coop/run combo for them that's in our backyard, and they seem happy to roost and lay in the small henhouse at night. The problem is, once they wake up in the morning they want out! When we are at home we usually let them out into one or two areas of the backyard so they can run around, but they need to live in the run when we are not home (we have a suburban backyard, dogs, and a garden they will destroy if we let them free range 24/7). If we don't let them out in the morning they pace by the door of the run, and one in particular works herself up into a frenzy at times, throwing herself at the door and pacing the run.

Is this normal given this situation? Our neighbors with chickens that don't let them out (and treat them more like caged livestock don't seem to have this problem). Any suggestions? Am I spoiling my chickens?

Mine do this too.
I used to have a 50x50ft space for them, complete with grass, forest litter, and even a little pond.
It did not matter how nice it was, once they realized there was a fence there, they weren’t happy till they’d escaped from the pen (it wasn’t covered, so they eventually figured out they could fly over).
Now they have a covered 15x20ft pen, but with plenty to do, and they’re still upset. I just ignore them.

 

[aart]

Our neighbors with chickens that don't let them out (and treat them more like caged livestock don't seem to have this problem).

Probably because they never let them out.
I've kept mine confined to a run for 10+ years, they are fine with it.

Am I spoiling my chickens?

Not really, you've just trained them to want to get out.

 

[Ridgerunner]

one in particular works herself up into a frenzy at times, throwing herself at the door and pacing the run.

Sounds like she is hiding a nest and is anxious to get to it to lay her egg.

 

[AntiqueB]

As usual, aart has nailed it.

I used to let mine out from dawn to dusk, until they moved. Then they got out an hour or so per day, at best. Were they upset? Definitely. Did they get over it? Yes. I think routine helped; they came out at about the same time every day, so they knew what to expect. Now, they act like coming out for a bit is just another part of the day.

 

[Seaslug]

Are you able to witness what is going on when your hens can not see you? When my hens see me they come running to the entrance of the run. I am sure that they would like to free range, but this is also where we come in with fresh water, more food, and treats. Lots of good interactions happen at that entrance.
But I can also see them at times when they have not seen me, and they are all over the run, using the dust baths and the roosts and the nest boxes, exploring and digging. They only spend time at the door when they see us; they do not spend their day pining for something they do not have (although I will admit that they do occasionally watch what is going on outside of the run -- they just are not depressed at being in the run because the run is full of enrichment.

 

[Tude]

Thanks everyone, lots of good advice! My run is definitely too small and I am feeling guilty about that, I thought with 4 hens and time outside it would be fine, plus knowing it was nearly as big as neighbors coops that had more birds in them that seemed to be doing fine, but as I said, they don't let theirs out. Here is the coop/run https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...k-in-chateau-chicken-coop-14-chicken-capacity (I got it for 50% off).

I have put stumps in it, as well as a shelf/perch off the henhouse so I could move the ramp to the side and allow more room.

I love the idea of getting them used to a routine. I've also stopped letting them out every time they see me so they don't think seeing me = getting out. I'd honestly let them out a lot more but man are they destructive! They have decided they love the taste of the paint on the garage, sigh. I'm definitely considering expanding the run to make it bigger, or getting a chicken tractor to contain them in different areas of the yard.

 

[FrostRanger]

Thanks everyone, lots of good advice! My run is definitely too small and I am feeling guilty about that, I thought with 4 hens and time outside it would be fine, plus knowing it was nearly as big as neighbors coops that had more birds in them that seemed to be doing fine, but as I said, they don't let theirs out. Here is the coop/run https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...k-in-chateau-chicken-coop-14-chicken-capacity (I got it for 50% off).

I have put stumps in it, as well as a shelf/perch off the henhouse so I could move the ramp to the side and allow more room.

I love the idea of getting them used to a routine. I've also stopped letting them out every time they see me so they don't think seeing me = getting out. I'd honestly let them out a lot more but man are they destructive! They have decided they love the taste of the paint on the garage, sigh. I'm definitely considering expanding the run to make it bigger, or getting a chicken tractor to contain them in different areas of the yard.

Don't feel bad, many of us have fell into the trap of prefab coops. They seem to be the simplest route when in reality they are too small, under ventilated and overpriced for what you get. That said, on that particular model, it should work for 4 if you expand the run. General rule of thumb is you want a minimum of 4sqft of coop space, 1 foot of roost space, 1sqft (2-3 in especially hot climates) of ventilation and 10sqft of run space per bird at a bare minimum. Feel free to scroll through the coop and run section of the forums for some run ideas

 

[Bawkbok]

We have one that behaves this way also. She looks like a caged tiger at the zoo, back and forth in a frenzy at the front gate. She does this at very specific times of the day when she has typically been let out to forage. I used to let them out early am, mid-day, and then again in the late afternoon - for 2-3 hours each time, meaning, I was spending most of my day outside (watching the sky for predators) because I'm paranoid about a hawk attack. That had to stop, so now I adhere to a strict schedule and she has to deal with it. Don't feel guilty. They are good at training us. As soon as they see me walk out the door, they start calling and reacting like I'm going to free them. Like aart implied, if they don't know any better there won't be an issue. Sufficient space is the key. Not all of us have the luxury of expansive yards or acreage, allowing for tons of chicken coop and run space, so we do the best we can with what we have to work with. We provide 135 sq ft. for 5 birds and I don't think it's enough space but I know it is. When I peak out the window, I see them either all in a cuddle puddle resting or flying, running, jumping up/down, moving all around so I know they have ample space.
I would suggest you let them range for a couple of hours before dusk. That way they get to feed on greens, bugs and stuff right before they roost for the night. Exercise and happy tummys before bed.
As long as your birds are healthy and you're getting quality eggs, that's what matters.