can I let my bantams out in my yard?

[senrabruk]

I am getting some bantams chicks soon and I would like to let them out to free range when they are older but I don't know if it is safe?
these will be my first chickens so really any help would be great!

 

[EricH]

i think you need to give some more info... fencing? how many? size of yard? how many cats you have?! haha... let em play, theyre JUST bantams... but seriously, whats the scoop?

 

[senrabruk]

I am getting 13 bantams and I have an acre that is fenced. the fence is 4 feet some places and 6 feet in others

we have 3 cats but they don't bother my ducks so I don't think that the will bother the chickens but I don't know.
I have a covered pen for them but I thought it would be nice for them to out in the yard.
hmmm.. will hawks eat bantams? now that could be a problem

 

[drumstick diva]

hawks would certainly consider them a tasty snack, your cats too.

 

[elmo]

Cats can be a danger to bantams, simply because of their small size. Be very careful about letting cats and bantams mix. Some cats won't bother them, but others will.

 

[kota1369]

Elmo is correct. Some cats will look at them like they are a nice plump robin.
Hawks will look at them just like they look at my EE'rs. Neighbor dogs may also find them to be quite
interesting toys to play with.
If you are worried about looses get them in a very secure coop and run. Mine free range alot and also have a secure coop. I like them being loose. I like how they eat the bugs and keep the weeds down. I am also prepared for a loose of one of my sweet ladies. But, I also like watching them in my yard and enjoy their quality of life. So...... I have made a choice knowing what could happen. I have so far had the 4 ladies for a year and a half.

Unlike you though....... I do not have cats. I have 4 (now) chicken safe dogs. They keep most of the preditors away from my house. Including the human ones that might want to mess with them. You will need to watch your cats with them and you will find out if your going to have one you need to keep away from them.
And this may sound terrible to some, but I use the roosters for introductions as I can not have them in the city so if I am going to have an accident happen, it will be with one of the Roos.

The lady w/4 dogs, 4 city chickens, 5 meat rabbits, their kits and a lizard
and fostering a standard poodle.

 

[lynxs1981]

Most bantams, due to their smaller size/weight can easily fly over a 4ft fence. Mine clear the 6ft fence. I would advise clipping until they get used to the yard.

 

[senrabruk]

I am glad to here my dogs are a good thing! and I know that the are chicken safe because they have stayed with chickens and didn't even bat an eyelash
I am torn because I want them to get out but I don't want to loose any
I will be showing them in 4 h so I don't know if I can clip there wings. can I?

 

[kingdr85]

My bantams stay close by to the coop....they were fenced in the run while growing up and now that they are all grown up I leave the run open somedays. They stay close by to the coop and if they hear or see anything funny up in the air they RUN TO THE COOP! (they are silkies).

 

[sammileah]

i have 2 that think they are the same size as my other chickens only dif they fly higher.
thats itty bitty he was hatched mid june. he runs with the rest, but can out fly them and still squeeze thru the fence. he (or she) is a mix breed mom was a full sized chicken.
my 2yr old hen is lazy and doesn't do much but roost in the coop.