[Blondie]

Hello All,
Stupid question but was talking to my grandad today (wise old farmer) who told me i could tether my chickens, i.e. tie their leg to some string loosely which is subsequently tied to a stick in the ground and they'd be able to wander as far as the string let them. My chicken house and run is on concrete u see with no way of moving it to grass as a) its too big, and b) because it would take up the whole lawn. This he proposed would be a good way for the chickens (only 2) to have a bit of run on the grass without wandering off onto flowerbeds etc. We have no room to store a portable run either so thats a no no. We have no probs with foxes or anything else in the garden so its not like they'd be attacked and have no way of running off, and i expect i'd 'supervise' them for a while. What do people think?? Does this sound daft or perhaps may hurt the chickens? Let me know please. xx

[Aunt Sally]

Sounds a bit cruel to me.  I think theyn would get tangled up in it.  Why don't you get some poultry netting,  I'll find you a reference:

[babe]

hi, im not 100 % sure, but i think all animal tethering is now illegal except for dogs, (as there necks can take the strain, but still frowned upon)

defra will be able to advise you best on this i think.

[alan42]

i used to breed large old english game fowl ( fighting birds, however i will state now i did not ever fight them or condone fighting birds)
the practise was to tether them by the leg when they were out on the grass so they were out of each others reach. Once they got the idea that they could only go a set distance there was no problem. we used a soft leather strap around there leg tied to strong light cord, make sure there is nothing at all the cord could snag that includes tall grass ect.
alan

[Blondie]

Thanks alan, good advice. It does sound a bit cruel to others but i wasn't doing to tie cord round their necks like dogs happyvalley so dont worry. Poultry netting is one idea Aunt Sally, can that be dismantled and stored away easily? Just don't want my dad moaning about chicken things cluttering up the shed or garden. Thanks

[Aunt Sally]

This is the3 netting I use to keep them off the flower beds:

http://www.omlet.co.uk/shop/shop.php?cat=Chicken%20Extras&sub=general&product_id=22

the posts just spike into the ground and are easy and quick to use.

[Danielle280]

I dont think tying there leg is a good idea. Chickens arent ment to be tied up. Some chickens will panic tied up and could injure there legs. It is rather cruel

[alan42]

done properly it is not rather cruel  not my personal feeling it is fact. And how exactly do you know some birds will panic and injure legs experiance ?
alan

[Danielle280]

because my neighbor used to do it to her chickens alot in her front yard.. and the pull and try to get it off there leg.

[alan42]

of course they will so does a dog when you first put it on a lead, so should we all stop lead training our dogs? as soon as the bird realises not to pull they settel down just like a puppy does.
alan

[Aunt Sally]

A chicken and a dog are rather different animals Alan.  I put a saddle on a horse and ride it but I wouldn't recommend training chickens to carry a burden.  

It might be appropriate to tether cock birds to prevent them fighting as they are being kept in conditions which would cause fighting.  I've seen them tethered to their individual coops spaced out in lines in a field.  They may not suffer any injury but the stress caused under this treatment is, however, great with the cocks displaying to each other all the time.

Every one, especially on this forum site is entitled to an opinion.  What might suit your view of animal husbandry might not suit another more gentle feeling person.  I certainly would not contemplate tethering hens but use netting to restrict their access.

[Danielle280]

well said aunt sally!

[Blondie]

Ooops, seems i may have started a heated debate here. sorry if i've caused a bit of a riot. Thanks for everyones comments!

[Aunt Sally]

I know you will take the right decision Blondie