@cavemanrich : Those are some lucky chickens you have! Losing chickens to predators and respiratory diseases is so gruesome. Mine are now in a large, predator proof and protected run and two large coops. They have plenty of space to run around and roost, but it's not the same as free range...
Since I have space, I also let mine live their lives out. Cavemanrich: Wow! None of my hens have ever lived past four years. That might change now that they are no longer free range, but they tend to get eaten by predators, contract a respiratory disease, or just inexplicably die. I let the...