| Author |
Barnyard Buddies:  Cage-raised hens  |
|
|
Brew Crew
True Blue Farmgirl
676 Posts
Molly
Arizona
676 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 06 2010 : 5:25:59 PM
|
I'm looking at buying a large flock of 38 hens. They're all between 12-14 months old, and according to the current owner, have been raised in cages their whole life. I plan on free-ranging them...does any one see any reason they wouldn't thrive? I would think it'd be wonderful for them to be out in nature (of course with their hen house and laying boxes for shelter and roosting). Just wondering if they'd be so unaccustomed to foraging that they wouldn't know what to do? I will be feeding layer crumble as well, but mainly their diet would be what they find around my place. Let me know if you have any experience with this kind of thing, or any suggestions to make the transition better! Thank you!
The Biz www.tvalahandmade.com
The Blog: http://blog.tvalahandmade.com/
The Bits www.happydalehobby.blogspot.com/
|
|
|
prariehawk
True Blue Farmgirl
2914 Posts
Cindy
2914 Posts |
Posted - Aug 06 2010 : 6:49:07 PM
|
I don't know much about chickens but they'll probably be so happy to be *FREE* that they'll gather in a circle and do the hokey-pokey.
Cindy
"There is more to life than increasing its speed". Mahatma Gandhi
Visit my blog at http://www.farmerinthebelle.blogspot.com/ |
 |
|
|
1badmamawolf
True Blue Farmgirl
2199 Posts
Teresa
"Bent Fence Farms"
Ca
USA
2199 Posts |
Posted - Aug 06 2010 : 7:40:49 PM
|
First off, I would not just turn them loose, they might just disapear on you, either thru wandering, or predators. I wouls start with a fenced run out side their coop, and let them get used to their new surroundings for a week or more, then slowly let them out of the run for short periods of time, in a controled area. They will probally go wild dirt bathing the first several days they are on dirt. Watch for splay legs and foot pad sores (comman in caged birds), watch for them picking on each other, and make sure they have lots of shade and cool water to drink all day. Good luck...
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
|
|
|
sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Aug 06 2010 : 7:43:28 PM
|
hi molly. my only thought would be to lock them up at first. feed them let them settle at your place before you turn them out. then i would only let out in day and lock up at night. they need to get some street smarts first. just a thought happy days sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
|
|
|
|
Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22944 Posts
22944 Posts |
|
|
kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Aug 06 2010 : 10:08:05 PM
|
That's so sad. I hope you get them and they have a happy life with you. Chickens were meant to be able to catch bugs and take dirt baths and eat grass and just be chickens. Poor things. I would agree with the others about keeping them in a coop for at least a few weeks so they know where "home" is. Then gradually let them out. I am doing that with my turkey babies. They are let out a few hours before sunset and they go right back in to their home to roost.
Good luck with them. I hope they are all healthy and lay you lots and lots of eggs.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
|
|
|
Brew Crew
True Blue Farmgirl
676 Posts
Molly
Arizona
676 Posts |
Posted - Aug 06 2010 : 11:12:50 PM
|
Thanks for all the good wishes and advice. I have a turn out with grass that comes off the coop and I think I will start them in the coop and the little by little let them out in the grass until, as you said, they know where home is. After I'm comfortable with them knowing how to get shelter and protection, I'll let them have their run of the place.
I was just worried they wouldn't "know" how to be chickens.
"The ideal equestrian has the courage of a lion, the patience of a saint, and the hands of a woman."
|
|
|
|
sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2010 : 08:02:22 AM
|
remember all Jahs creations have an inner knowing. plants animals humans. that natural knowing will guide them to a worm and bugs and dirt. as kris said they will be so happy with you. happy days sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
|
|
|
|
Melina
True Blue Farmgirl
435 Posts
Melina
USA
435 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2010 : 10:48:38 AM
|
I did this once, many years ago. I got about 20 Leghorn hens from an egg "ranch". They all needed to have their nails trimmed, as there is no way for them to wear them down in the cages. They were all naked because the owners withheld food to throw them into a moult. It took them about 2-3 weeks before they started laying again. The dust baths and scratching in the dirt seemed to come about naturally. It's just part of their thwarted instincts and they catch up fast. Enjoy your girls!
The morning breeze has secrets to tell you. Do not go back to sleep.
Rumi |
|
|
|
Lessie Louise
True Blue Farmgirl
1406 Posts
Carol
PECULIAR
MO
USA
1406 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2010 : 3:31:06 PM
|
I get a monthly newsletter called Keeping Chickens Newsletter form a girl named Gina. Anyway, I thik she writes from Europe, and people write in looking for advice about "battery chicks" which are adult chickens they adopt right from egg factories. It takes a bit before the chickens learn how to be real chickens and they almost always continue to lay. Good luck, Carol
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting them in a fruit salad!
Farmgirl #680! |
|
|
|
kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Aug 12 2010 : 6:21:26 PM
|
Molly, have you gotten the chickens yet? Just wondering.
Happiness is simple. |
|
|
|
Brew Crew
True Blue Farmgirl
676 Posts
Molly
Arizona
676 Posts |
Posted - Aug 12 2010 : 9:29:08 PM
|
I did! I have them in the coop for the next few days to be sure they know where to lay and go to bed, and then I'll turn them out in the run. They are adjusting beautifully! None had any major issues from being caged, and they are super happy! Thanks for checking in Kristin!
"The ideal equestrian has the courage of a lion, the patience of a saint, and the hands of a woman."
|
|
|
|
Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22944 Posts
22944 Posts |
|
|
Lessie Louise
True Blue Farmgirl
1406 Posts
Carol
PECULIAR
MO
USA
1406 Posts |
Posted - Aug 13 2010 : 06:54:29 AM
|
YEAH!! Those are some grateful chickens.
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting them in a fruit salad!
Farmgirl #680! |
|
|
|
kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Aug 25 2010 : 10:41:23 AM
|
Molly, how are the girls doing so far?
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
|
|
| |
Barnyard Buddies: Cage-raised hens |
|
Cage-raised hens
