Am I wrong to not free range?

[Mary_Ann]

Their safety comes first. free range is great as long a bear isn't waiting in the bushes. I have 2 German Shepherd who are just waiting for free range hens to be a snack on toast - sooooo, they stay in their run with lots of greens, scratch and occasional meal worms from the local pet store. I would love to have them running in the yard, but the foxes, hawks and whatever else lives here is just too risky.

 

[chick4chicks]

my chickens are 2 yrs. old now and I just started letting them free-range during the day. I wanted to do this for a long time but was afraid of the outcome. A few weeks ago i just opened the pen and out they came. I have so enjoyed watching them run and play. Do what you think is best for your chickies. Good luck. I still go out often and check on them, oh well. LOL.

 

[4 luv of eggs]

To free range chickens in a dangerous situation is like sending a toddler with a fork into a room full of nothing but wall outlets.

Personally, I won't be free ranging mine. We have fox, coyote, red tail and red shoulder hawks, raccoons, oppossum and lord knows what else. I have a 10x10 covered run and a 6x12 coop. I would love to let them loose but I know that some would never come back. If they look crowded or unhappy, I'll just add to the run.

 

[greathorse]

I think if you had a good dog, were willing to risk losing one here and there and only ranged them when you were around you would be ok for the most part. There is absolutely nothing wrong with keeping them cooped except you get none of the benefit of them eating ticks and things that you may want some help with.

I think your dog will likely need some back up as well, so you might keep some fire power avaialbe as well

 

[StormyMoon]

I will only free range while I can keep an eye on them and then they will go back in the coop at night....we have coyotes, hawks, and next door the lady there has about 20 Farrel cats, people do not keep their dogs in their own yard.....but my entire land is fenced off I will just have to keep an extra eye on them during the day...and hope they stay near.

But I know some people around here who do not free range and their chickens are just as happy they can get sun light in the run and shade when they need it, the only difference is they are in a cage which is ok too. My neighbor gets loads of eggs from her chicks and they don't free range.

Good luck

 

[SkyWarrior]

Quote:
My dogs would find my chickens tasty!

(Alaskan Malamutes and Alaskan Huskies)

After reading everyone's replies, I really think I can provide a fairly entertaining life in a barn with a carefully managed outdoor (and covered) pen. I have a neighbor who lives about a half mile down the road and closer to civilization who occasionally allows her chickens to wander. But she has about 5 and I've occasionally stopped in my car because the chickens were answering "why did the chicken cross the road?"

She's far enough down the road that her birds stay in the general vicinity of her home. I don't think I would be so lucky. Nor do I think my chickens would survive the local fauna. Someone mentioned fox and bobcat -- I forgot, we have one of each out here. I've seen the bobcat and my husband has seen the fox. Neither of us mind having them here because they get rid of mice, but I have no desire to add to their diets. It's good to hear not everyone free ranges, but not everyone lives in quite a wild area. And yes, our neighbor's dogs and cats occasionally make it up here. It would be a slaughter.

Thanks for the collected wisdom. If you have something to add about your arrangement for your chicks/chickens, I'd love to hear it!

 

[Harrietsmum]

Bring the free range to your birds. Mine get fresh mowed grass and piles of dry leaves. They spend their time sorting through it looking for the best bits.

 

[Surehatch]

Agreed

 

[Chickens-246]

Bears eat chickens?

I have bobcats, coyotes, foxes, hawks, etc. I open free range and I probably loose one chicken a year. While it hurts to loose a pet, I think they are way happier running loose all day.

Donkey's are suppose to be good as a predator guard.

 

[SkyWarrior]

Quote:
Bears are omnivores like us. We have black bear and grizzly. Black bears will attack people and animals and eat them for calories. And grizzlies are just plain ornery. A chicken would be dinner on the wing.