Chickens in nature

[kattabelly]

I have seen the raven/crow stealing eggs twice - egg in its beak!

At one stage, the local ravens/crows came to check the nests every morning to see if there were some eggs to steal. They aim to steal my chickens eggs from the nests before the eggs are collected.

I have been vigilant but the hens are free ranging and I can't be in the yard all day long. Luckily, the local birds hate those corvids, I know one is nearby when the neighbourhood birds alarm ring berserk.

View attachment 4229653

This was an fake plastic egg that I had placed in the nest, the holes were the 'courtesy' acts of local crow/raven.

Nowadays, they know not to steal the fake but only go for real. I use broom to chase them away whenever I sight one.

Ravens will take eggs here too, though I've only known them to do it if they find a hidden nest. I think nest boxes are usually too busy or too cramped for them to want to risk getting into any kind of confrontation with the hens.

 

[Appalachickens]

I forgot to send this. I remember when I first got chickens, I was so worried about predators that I never let them free range. Now they get about 3 hrs free time in the afternoons and they usually go straight to the woods when the hawks are patrolling and then closer to dusk, I see them in the open field. You inspired me! Figured they're healthier and happier so it's worth the risk. I'd let them out full time but I don't want to be hunting for eggs.
View attachment 4173706

I started letting my chickens free range during the day when they got big enough. At first only when I could also be outside and now all day when I’m working (from home, so I do pop out occassionally to check). Not that they understand property lines, but I have 32 acres that is mostly woods. The area right around the house is fairly densely planted with perennials. Those girls like to travel - I’ve seen them go way up on a steep ridge and also run along the creek bed. One day they went completely awol for an hour or so. Hard to see but there are four right in the center in this photo on the ridge. Loads of predators, but they seem to stay hidden.

 

[Appalachickens]

I have seen the raven/crow stealing eggs twice - egg in its beak!

At one stage, the local ravens/crows came to check the nests every morning to see if there were some eggs to steal. They aim to steal my chickens eggs from the nests before the eggs are collected.

I have been vigilant but the hens are free ranging and I can't be in the yard all day long. Luckily, the local birds hate those corvids, I know one is nearby when the neighbourhood birds alarm ring berserk.

View attachment 4229653

This was an fake plastic egg that I had placed in the nest, the holes were the 'courtesy' acts of local crow/raven.

Nowadays, they know not to steal the fake but only go for real. I use broom to chase them away whenever I sight one.

Now I’m glad I bought wooden fake eggs!

 

[Appalachickens]

Just read my way through the whole thread as I’m getting closer to my goal of adding a completely free range flock next spring. My son and his fiancée invited me over to build a bird house for my birthday and asked what kind of bird, so we could design an appropriate box. I said chicken! So now I have one insanely beautiful nesting box ready to be stained and placed in the woods. (Some of my coop chickens came into the garage to check it out.) My question - how high up should it be?

 

[WingItRanch]

Just read my way through the whole thread as I’m getting closer to my goal of adding a completely free range flock next spring. My son and his fiancée invited me over to build a bird house for my birthday and asked what kind of bird, so we could design an appropriate box. I said chicken! So now I have one insanely beautiful nesting box ready to be stained and placed in the woods. (Some of my coop chickens came into the garage to check it out.) My question - how high up should it be?

What breeds do you have? If they're heavier, you'll want it relatively low to the ground. If they're game birds, you could probably put maybe 4 ft up? Just a guess on my part.

 

[Appalachickens]

What breeds do you have? If they're heavier, you'll want it relatively low to the ground. If they're game birds, you could probably put maybe 4 ft up? Just a guess on my part.

It won’t be for my current coop chickens. The plan is for the breeds to be gamefowl/leghorns. So sounds like up pretty high?

 

[WingItRanch]

It won’t be for my current coop chickens. The plan is for the breeds to be gamefowl/leghorns. So sounds like up pretty high?

They'll be good flyers and will want to be up higher for safety. If you want it for gathering eggs, watch where they roost at night and pick a spot about a foot lower. If you want them to use it to hatch, it shouldn't be too different but you may want it slightly lower so the chicks are able to follow the mom.

 

[Appalachickens]

They'll be good flyers and will want to be up higher for safety. If you want it for gathering eggs, watch where they roost at night and pick a spot about a foot lower. If you want them to use it to hatch, it shouldn't be too different but you may want it slightly lower so the chicks are able to follow the mom.

Thanks, that helpful.

 

[chooki]

Ravens will take eggs here too, though I've only known them to do it if they find a hidden nest. I think nest boxes are usually too busy or too cramped for them to want to risk getting into any kind of confrontation with the hens.

I only have 6 hens and crow/raven doesn't seem to be bothered by hens nearby, although they seem to choose a time when no one is in the yard and the car is not on the driveway.

 

[chooki]

I started letting my chickens free range during the day when they got big enough. At first only when I could also be outside and now all day when I’m working (from home, so I do pop out occassionally to check). Not that they understand property lines, but I have 32 acres that is mostly woods. The area right around the house is fairly densely planted with perennials. Those girls like to travel - I’ve seen them go way up on a steep ridge and also run along the creek bed. One day they went completely awol for an hour or so. Hard to see but there are four right in the center in this photo on the ridge. Loads of predators, but they seem to stay hidden.

Nice camouflage!

Looks like your girls are more adventurous than my rooster flock!

My boys used to roam around further. Then one summer, I lost a couple of birds - the ones that did not go to the coop at night (I was taking care of 2 flocks because other family members were on holidays). There were puffs of feathers where they were taken. I am sure my roosters have seen those feathers too.

Nowadays, my roosters are a lot more timid, always stay in the middle paddock where our cabin and their coop is, regularly coming to the door of our cabin to check upon us (possibly for re-assurance, lol).

Local predators (eagle, fox, wild dogs etc) are all relatively small, and have cunning ways of hiding from people and take chickens when no one is watching.