Could use some opinions for my sort-of Free Range Plan options

[Scatterknit]

I have a new coop/run structure - https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...n-georgia-you-need-one-of-these#post_13597392 I have 16 chickens. I'd like to use this as "home base" to free range them during the day. I live in rural Georgia and there are raccoons, hawks, possums, galore - plus a couple of eagles and probably some owls and we've shot a bobcat (who attacked our dog) but haven't seen another.

I have some dogs that generally behave themselves around the chickens when I'm around but I haven't completely tested them out as chicken guard dogs yet. They're Corgis, old and fat so they're not likely to give a vigorous chase but they will bark their heads off at a raccoon, possum, etc. I don't have a grown rooster yet. I think I have a young one coming along but he's only 8 weeks old.

I have a couple of choices:

1. Let them free range all over my backyard during the day. It's about 3 acres, some grass, lots of big pine trees, some big shrubs around the house. It's bordered on one side by a lake. The back yard is fenced in - chain link on one side, wrought iron fencing along the other. There is a deck, patio and swimming pool and I'm not crazy about having poop all over my living area but I can live with a little bit.

2. I have some electric poultry netting and charger that I bought and haven't used yet. I could run the electric netting up to the end of the coop to give them a "play area". I have 164 feet so it's not going to be a huge area so I'm not sure it would be worth the trouble.

My plan would be to leave the coop open for them during the day for shelter and laying and herd them into the coop at night - or coax them in with treats.

I work during the day and I'm generally not home between 7 and 7 except on the weekends. What are your opinions on free-ranging when the Mother Hen is not there to watch her chicks?



Thank you!

 

[Mrs. K]

Your rooster will need to be fairly close to a year old, before he is ready to take care of the flock, he will be interested in the perks of the job, LONG before he is interested in protecting the flock. That being said, a mature rooster has dramatically reduced my daytime predation.

The truth of free ranging is it is a real and probable risk. You have to be able to accept that you are probably going to loose hens....... and for some @#%#$^% reason, it is always the hen you really like, never the old biddy that should be headed to a soup pot! I free range mine, from early spring to late fall.

You won't have to do anything, shortly before dark, they will head to the roost. I, myself do not free range very much during the winters, because it is dark before I get home. Night time predators such as coons really like roosted birds, cause they are so easy to pick off. I like to get my coop shut up by dark. And really there is not a lot for them to peck on up here in the deep of winter.

I also, kind of, sort of vary the time they are let out, and if I get hit hard by predators, I keep them locked up in the run/coop for several days, hoping that the predator moves on.

A mature rooster has been my best defense, but all in all, you are probably going to loose some.

Mrs K

 

[aart]

Man, that is one NICE coop.run!!

BUT....

I would seriously consider putting some hardware cloth with screws and washers over that chicken wire....and an apron around the bottom for diggers.

If the free ranging doesn't work out and you need to leave them in the run while at work the chicken wire leaves them susceptible to predators.

 

[Scatterknit]

LOL You're right Mrs. K - it always IS the hen you like the most. My two favorites were the first to go - Lady Violet and Lady Cora.

Aart I put paving stones around the outside (after this pic) was taken and I think I'm going to add a second row of that. The bottom section is hardware cloth all around.

So it sounds like maybe I ought to set up the electric fence first and see how that goes.