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ChickenGuy01

ChickenGuy01

Hatching
Mar 5, 2016
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Winston-Salem North Carolina
Hi everybody. .
About to enter the world of backyard chickens.I have a large fenced in back yard equally divided sun and shade with a good grass cover and even a patch of bamboo. . I have seen plans for coops that include a fenced "chicken wire" ha ha chicken run. My question being is can I for go the fenced chicken run and allow the chickens free range to scratch and forage in the backyard instead?? Thoughts please
 
Hi :welcome

Glad you could join the flock! You sure can let them free range but that does run the risk with predators that you may have in your area. There are pros and cons to free ranging. Also when you first get your birds you may need to pen them in so they know where there coop is to head back to on an evening. Here are some articles on free ranging ~ https://www.backyardchickens.com/newsearch?search=Free+ranging+&type=40

I'm sure you will find them useful. Good luck with your plans and enjoy BYC :frow
 
Everything loves to eat chickens. Possums, skunks, raccoons, fox, someone even reported a woodchuck killed her chicks. Then you have raptors that like to drop in for an easy meal. Is your yard fenced so they would stay within the boundaries?
 
welcome-byc.gif


Drumstick diva is right...there are a lot of things that love chicken. Here's a link to predator information in the Learning Center (it will give you ideas on how to protect your birds):
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/chicken-predators-pests-how-to-protect-treat-your-flock

Thanks for joining us!
 
Not to mention, most people don't have a clue as to what kind of predators are in the area until you put a nice tasty chicken dinner in your yard. Then all of those who were invisible before suddenly are out in the open in spades. Always plan for the worst kinds of predators when taking your chickens' safety into account because usually you will come across them in less time than you thought possible.
 
welcome-byc.gif
- you have some great advice already so I'll just say hello!

All the best
CT
 

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