A smelly subject

[HenHaven]

The type of landscaping and gardening you do may help you decide. Keep in mind they will eat any greenery they like, so if you like colorful annuals, etc. they are going to challenge your patience. They also excavate wherever they go, so they are going to churn up your flowerbeds big time.

I am in the country, and I do free range, but I limit the time they have near the house to a couple of hours prior to dusk. That way they still get to range far and wide, but I don't have as much poop to clean off the patio. That also limits the amount of poo the dog has access to...

 

[Flufnstuffs~FluffySilkies]

I do not believe you have any thing to be concerned with.
If you are only going to have a small flock for enjoyment and eggs they will not be a bother.
Is your yard fenced in?
It should be to keep dogs out and your birds in.
If not you will need to make a run off the coop so they will have a safe place to be when you can not watch tem or you are not home..

IF you are talking about huge numbers of birds in a smal lawn then you can worry.

 

[silkiechicken]

I free range all day long. Only issues are that they like to leave presents on the sidewalks and that I have to fence in anything I don't want them to scratch in, like the garden.

 

[Smitty's Farm]

It's a personal choice on what will work best for you and your environment. I think a predator proof covered run attached to your coop is good to have even if you free range. I think the requirement is 10 sq ft per bird, but more per bird is better. I would love to let mine free range 24/7, but they'd end up being hawk food. I let them have free range w/ supervision on most evenings before cooping up for the night.

Good luck! keep us posted and let us know what you decide.