Ruth! So true! I can see the occasional eagle soar over my place and it always gives my heart a thrill! There's no feeling like it, really.
I don't necessarily freerange so my birds will be happier, they are just chickens, after all. But they are definitely healthier, I have no problems with them picking on each other, no messy smelly coop = healthier environment, less feed bill, less pests in my orchard, yard and garden, more personal enjoyment seeing those lovely colors dotting my green lawn, etc. I have NO smells in my coop at all, the doors and windows are wide open, the feces are scattered throughout the yard where the dogs happily scoop them up
, the same dogs get exercise and contentment "guarding" the flock from air attacks.
The benefits of free ranging are numerous for me. I have the entire 2 acres fenced with cattle fencing and supplemented with chicken/dog appropriate fencing as well. I don't feel people are being irresponsible free ranging unless they are doing this in a neighborhood. Then this can cause some problems for the everyone.
Some folks just like a good fight, and if you will read the antagonist's signature line, this explains everything. Let's not respond to, or feed, the troll anymore, okay?