So apparently now have 1 silkie cockerel:idunnoas well as a cochin that is working on crowing at the moment. Total, I will have 4 regular sized girls and 2 banty hens (2 toms too, but I don't count them because they could care less about the whole thing lol). Can I keep the cochin and the silkie...
I have 4 rhodies that are 5-6 weeks old. I let them run around the yard when I am watching, but am afraid to let them explore when I'm not there for fear of predators. Should I let them run on their own, or maybe put up a netting for protection of some sort? They do have an enclosed run, but I...
Hello! We are selling a Florida Coop chicken tractor trailer my husband designed and built. He built this coop on top of a pop up camper trailer frame. We built one before that we currently use with our own flock. Since my husband has a lot of free time over the Winter, he decided to build one...
Just recently took this picture of our adults coming in after their morning free range time. They line up single file and make a bee line for the coop and then stop at the door and wait for it to be opened for them and then it’s food water and nest box wars. Lol. However, as they are running...
I am completely new to free ranging, and I'm scared to death about predators! So, I finally found a great way to start out! This is what I do:
I have a big metal old dog cage, which I use for my chickens. I catch a chicken from the run, and put her in the cage. I go back and catch her a buddy...
I want to free range but I'm afraid of halks and dogs. I got 3 Ameraucana. I got silkies to but I don't dare let them free range. the hawks are not to much bigger then the Ameraucana so I'm not sure if they would go after them. I think they are red tale hawks. I guess they could fly away from...
Hello all long post ahead and questions at the end!
A few days ago someone dumped a rooster in the woods right next to the road. I was able to catch him after it got dark because he was roosting low in the trees after a cop stopped by and questioned/laughed me. (We have a lot of night predators...
I found this article and thought everyone might enjoy. Some of my neighbors only buy "organic" at the store and won't eat my chicken's eggs.
Does anyone think the USDA is right? There is no comparison to this (IMO) crowded warehousing and my backyard flock...
Hi everyone!
I want to free range my flock, but I don't know where to start.
Hawks are my main concern....I have lots of them around. So, here are my questions:
1. How do I keep them from wandering away?
2. Will a hawk get them if I'm right with them?
3. When I put them back in their run...
We have four chicks that are almost 10 weeks old now, three Easter Eggers and one Silkie. They have adjusted well to moving outdoors into their coop and small run area. It’s not that big but meets the minimums for space per bird. If we wanted to let them out one day in our fenced in backyard to...
It's been ages since I've posted a question on this website, but I am here with a question I never thought I'd need to ask.
We've had chickens since 2012. We have a large backyard and the girls were able to happily free range. Then three years ago a neighbor started feeding raccoons two...
Hello! Let me first say that I believe this is the best place to ask this, but not 100% sure. Anyways:
I am trying to find the best breed(s) That do well in an almost feral setting in northern climates. This may seem weird, but I kinda want to experiment with an open coop that I hope they roost...
Free-rangers, what do you do (if anything) to make sure their foraging area is as lush and productive as possible?
My birdies have preferred areas, resulting in some places having short grass and some grow into a flower- and weed-forest. As much as I LOVE the flower look (much nicer than the...
I'm Dean. A little bit about me. I am a husband, Father and military Veteran. I was injured in Afghanistan in 2010 (a sniper shot me through the head, yes really).
I have been anonymously learning from the BYC website since the end of last year and I have only just found your phone app so I...
I have 31 chickens who are 7 weeks old. They have just been exposed to the fenced in yard for about 2 weeks. The door to the yard is open every day, but they are very reluctant to go outside of the coop. What should/could I do to help them enjoy the outdoors, or is it too soon? Should I put...
Hello, I am trying to create a pasture on my land for my chickens to free range. I live in southern AZ near Tucson. I was wondering has anyone ever attempted a pasture in the desert? If so, what tips, tricks, and info can you give me to make this go as smooth as possible. Thanks!
I have a small garden off of my coop. My hens all free range. Is there ANYTHING I can plant that they won’t get in to? I’m wondering if a thorny plant would be keep them away? Or maybe I should just give up?
Hi!
I’d like to ask your opinion, tips and advices about an interesting gate construction issue.
I keep two sheep and chickens together in my backyard. Now the backyard is directly connected to the pasture. The pasture has electric fencing to keep the sheep in control and to separate the...
So we have 16 guinea keets that's are a couple weeks old now. We plan to let them total free range (with shelter and feeding option) once they are old enough, but what age would that be? 6 months or 12 weeks? Or maybe some other time? I am at a loss. We want them to be able to take care of...
How do you do it? We currently allow our 13 week old chicks run around the yard, but only if we are home. We have many predators in our area, but they love being able to run around EVERYWHERE! And I love watching them and calling them across the yard and everybody comes racing over haha.
I'd...