Advice from people who live in the woods please! How big to make an extended run? Balancing space vs safety near the woods

[Appalachickens]

I live in mountains on the edge of the woods, lots of Bobcats, Coyotes, Cougars, Fox, Bears not to mention Hawks. I just don't free range unless I supervise or at least am milling around outside. These predators are always lurking. I have found that first thing in the morning and early afternoon seem to be the most quiet for predators but times may differ in your area. Much of the day my birds stay in a large run. Give them things to do all day.... levels, mirrors, swings, branches to roost on, ladders, hanging cabbages, flake of alfalfa hay, etc...

I live in the mountains/woods too and have seen many of those predators on our property. Last years someone's chicken wandered over and stayed for about a week then disappeared, so I don't know if something got her. My tentative plan is to free range chickens when I can be outside with them om the afternoons after work or on weekends.

 

[TwoCrows]

I live in the mountains/woods too and have seen many of those predators on our property. Last years someone's chicken wandered over and stayed for about a week then disappeared, so I don't know if something got her. My tentative plan is to free range chickens when I can be outside with them om the afternoons after work or on weekends.

Sounds like a great plan!