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Free Range

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chicken-keeper

chicken-keeper

Songster
10 Years
May 5, 2009
106
0
119
UK
Would my set up be classed as free range if not whats it classed as ......

coop_fence.jpg


They have around 400 sqaure foot (there are 12 hens), its a very similar set up as ni the picture and i have a low 3 foot chicken wire around the outskirts. To stop fox's ext. So what are my hens classed as ??

Thanks
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That is a very nice set-up for 12 hens. You can expect them to strip every bit of green vegetation from it though. They'd probably strip it if it were 5 times that size. They'll find a lot of bugs and other creepy-crawlies but not a lot of green stuff after a while. If you do throw them grass clippings make sure they are pretty short, say under 1" long, to keep from impacting their crop.

I really don't know a universal definition for "free-range". I've never worried about it. One definition is that if they have a door they can go through to see sunlight, that is free-range. For others, if you have a fence to keep them in, no matter how far away, it is not free-range. For me, if you do the best you can with what you have, that is good enough.
 
Have you thought of dividing the run in 1/2 so you can plant grass and rotate which side their on? I agree that unless you are to survey them all day, your in danger of dog, hawk and sundry other animals in your area to jump over the fence. I'd consider at least an inexpensive aviary netting to slow that down. Good luck - Gail
 
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i dont want a cage on them, as it stops me & friends leaning over and interacting with them........

I am considering extending and getting about 6 chicks though...... had them for a year so far nothing's got to them and they havnt got out.............
 
With that set up I would consider your hens free range for the simple fact they will be outside that fence in no time
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An enclosed run is just that a run the chickens can not get out of unless you let them out. With a 3 foot fence the hens will be flying over and back all they want.
 
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has done so far, over winter and summer for a year..... surely they would have attacked by now........ and i have seen foxes snopping around
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