Chicken Leash

Backyard Poultry

Chicken on a Leash

Dragging those chicken runs around was not getting to be any more fun the longer it went on. Neither was the size of the runs getting any larger. In fact, we were beginning to wish the chickens could have more space in which to run while we could do less work. Dogs and cats use leashes; horses and goats have tether ropes; even cows and sheep can be tied. What about chickens? So my sister and I proceeded to cut long, thin lengths from sheets ("leashes") and attach them to the handy chicken saddles the hens already wore. What could work better?

Leash Pinned to Chicken Saddle

Well...not so fast! Birds, it seems, are not nearly as accustomed to being restrained from behind as other animals. The poor test chicken (Pepper) proceeded to flap, struggle, run wildly about the yard, and nearly tear off its saddle! It certainly was not facilitating any grazing. Exercise, yes, but only in equal proportion to the person on the other end of the leash! So much for that idea...