Beginning free ranging

[slordaz]

really? Have you witnessed this? Cats are not generally considered pack animals. I have seen feral cats occasionally, they are smaller than my hens who attacked them and chased them away.

yes I have, we lost 9 2 year old hens Rhode Island Reds, Leghorns, barred rock before we were able to figure out what it was, their attacks were all different and they were trap savvy why it took so long. You get an over population they will hunt in packs, that's just the ones we trapped and relocated where there were no birds in 10 mile range, they changed strategies due to the rooster killed 2 of them. They over populate quickly and if they deplete the mice they will go after anything they can to feed themselves even if it means working together, the different attack styles may be just them learning how to safely get their prey as a team.

 

[NHMountainMan]

have you checked what predators you have in the area?

if you are planning on completely free ranging you will want a rooster with the flock, have you checked what predators you have in the area?
We had 2 roosters and a big breed drake with our free ranging flock, the main, aka mean rooster, and the drake would defend even against hawks and the pair made even the eagles think twice while the other rooster would get the hens to safety and keep them calm.
one thing to think about whether free ranging in a large enclose area or true free ranging is there enough cover in different areas for them to take cover from especially aerial predators, a ground predator depending on whats in your area, they will either be flying up to get away from or running back to wards coop.
I would also read up on the Predator Thread if you plan on free ranging but with good planning you will keep your losses to a minimum. one predator most don't think about is feral cats, if they are hunting in a pack they will take down a full grown hen.

We've got everything except wolves and mountain lions. Black bear, bobcat, fisher, coyotes, foxes and weasels. I also keep honeybees and have been successful keeping out the bear population. I have five 6 week old chicks in quarantine. I think 3 are cockerels. But it'll be a while before they're integrated - probably another 2-4 weeks. I'm reading up on how to integrate too.. This community is a great resource for us rookies.
My dog is great with the pullets but he was always submissive to the dog I lost so I'm not sure how he handle predator control on his own. Going to have to watch to see if he gains confidence.

 

[NHMountainMan]

yes I have, we lost 9 2 year old hens Rhode Island Reds, Leghorns, barred rock before we were able to figure out what it was, their attacks were all different and they were trap savvy why it took so long. You get an over population they will hunt in packs, that's just the ones we trapped and relocated where there were no birds in 10 mile range, they changed strategies due to the rooster killed 2 of them. They over populate quickly and if they deplete the mice they will go after anything they can to feed themselves even if it means working together, the different attack styles may be just them learning how to safely get their prey as a team.

We abut 10s of thousands of acres of protected forest. There is an abundance of coyotes. Outdoor cats seem to be there favorite snack. They even went after one of my dogs (125lbs) acting like they wanted to play. I think they were trying to lure him into the woods. The older dog that I just lost ran them off. Our biggest exposure is probably hawks. But they will have tree/shrub cover.

 

[slordaz]

We've got everything except wolves and mountain lions. Black bear, bobcat, fisher, coyotes, foxes and weasels. I also keep honeybees and have been successful keeping out the bear population. I have five 6 week old chicks in quarantine. I think 3 are cockerels. But it'll be a while before they're integrated - probably another 2-4 weeks. I'm reading up on how to integrate too.. This community is a great resource for us rookies.
My dog is great with the pullets but he was always submissive to the dog I lost so I'm not sure how he handle predator control on his own. Going to have to watch to see if he gains confidence.

well takes a young rooster time to get his spurs on, currently we have a poor rooster with ours that a racoon got into a friends set up, 8 months old he almost lost his life defending his hens as didn't have good spurs on him to do much damage, make sure to have a first aid kit on hand too, he is an EE rooster but currently looks like a Turken or whatever breed that is no feathers on the neck. you will want to have blue Kote in there and some vetracyin at least

 

[NHMountainMan]

well takes a young rooster time to get his spurs on, currently we have a poor rooster with ours that a racoon got into a friends set up, 8 months old he almost lost his life defending his hens as didn't have good spurs on him to do much damage, make sure to have a first aid kit on hand too, he is an EE rooster but currently looks like a Turken or whatever breed that is no feathers on the neck. you will want to have blue Kote in there and some vetracyin at least

Thank you for the advice. I have put together a whole chicken first aid kit. I'm a planner. The chicken I think is a cockerel is also an EE. The others are Wyandottes. To young to be sure.

 

[slordaz]

Thank you for the advice. I have put together a whole chicken first aid kit. I'm a planner. The chicken I think is a cockerel is also an EE. The others are Wyandottes. To young to be sure.

I know you just lost your other dog, but with that much I would maybe get another 1 at least, besides providing more help in protection, it may help the surviving dog, over come it's sadness at loosing it's friend

 

[NHMountainMan]

I know you just lost your other dog, but with that much I would maybe get another 1 at least, besides providing more help in protection, it may help the surviving dog, over come it's sadness at loosing it's friend

Were thinking about getting another dog. I think the remaining dog would perk up. But I had a very special bond with the dog we just lost. He got me through cancer and 20 something surgeries while my wife worked. I got the second dog as a playmate for him, since my illness meant no more hiking etc. I'm not sure I'm ready yet. But it's definitely on our minds.

 

[slordaz]

Were thinking about getting another dog. I think the remaining dog would perk up. But I had a very special bond with the dog we just lost. He got me through cancer and 20 something surgeries while my wife worked. I got the second dog as a playmate for him, since my illness meant no more hiking etc. I'm not sure I'm ready yet. But it's definitely on our minds.

quite understandable, I am gonna be in a world of hurt when I loose my best friends have 2 getting up there and so not ready for that