TIL my tight coop policy was missing the point of keeping chickens

I used to never let my hens out, thinking it was safer to keep them penned up all day. But lately, I've noticed more folks in my neighborhood just open the coops in the morning. I chatted with someone down the street who said her birds are calmer and lay better with some room to roam. So I started letting mine out for a few hours, and now I get it. They seem so much more content, and I feel like a better chicken owner.

3 comments

3 Comments

tara561d ago

My Rhode Island Reds went from being sort of pecky and nervous to just chilled out after I gave them afternoon freedom. I’ve been doing it for about six months now. The big thing for me was the eggs, like you said. The shells got harder and the yolks are so dark now, almost orange. It just makes sense, doesn’t it? They’re out there eating bugs and grass all afternoon instead of staring at the same four walls. I feel pretty silly for keeping them locked up so long.

owens.wren2d ago

Last spring, my Barred Rocks were getting restless in their enclosed run. I started letting them free-range for a few hours after lunch each day. Their feathers looked better, and the egg yolks turned a deeper orange within a couple weeks. Did you notice any change in egg quality?

emma_perez13h ago

Funny how we overthink this stuff, isn't it? I was the same way, paranoid about hawks and just kept my girls locked down tight. Letting them scratch around felt like a huge risk. Turns out I was just being a control freak, and happier chickens really do make better eggs. My egg carton looks like a sunset now, all those dark orange yolks. I guess we all have to learn to chill out, us and the chickens.