NHchicks
Songster
Wow. I never heard the "a free range chicken is a dead chicken" argument. And I never knew that free rangers were looked down on, so to speak.
I've been free ranging for 2 years and never had a problem until a fox got ahold of one of my hens the other day. The dog chased it off, once she got outside after hearing the commotion. He cam back the next day and took a bite out of another hen's tail feathers, but again the dog perked up, ran out the door, and chased it off. It has not been back since.
My dog has been very, very good at keeping predators at bay. She loves it. However, evidently that is not fool proof. I have not had a hawk get one of my chickens even tho I do see them flying around. I have 2 mama hens with 9 chicks combined and so far no problems.
It has always seemed confining to me to keep chickens locked in a pen, which is why I never planned on it. I love to see them doing their landscaping work around the yard. They do wonders with tick control, etc. The fertilize everywhere they go. They've always been friendly and happy.
If it comes down to keeping them penned up, I don't think I'll keep them. And if predators become more of a problem, it might come to that. But like I said, for 2 years now I never even gave it a second thought. Now that ol' Mr. Fox came around tho, I may change my tune.
I've been free ranging for 2 years and never had a problem until a fox got ahold of one of my hens the other day. The dog chased it off, once she got outside after hearing the commotion. He cam back the next day and took a bite out of another hen's tail feathers, but again the dog perked up, ran out the door, and chased it off. It has not been back since.
My dog has been very, very good at keeping predators at bay. She loves it. However, evidently that is not fool proof. I have not had a hawk get one of my chickens even tho I do see them flying around. I have 2 mama hens with 9 chicks combined and so far no problems.
It has always seemed confining to me to keep chickens locked in a pen, which is why I never planned on it. I love to see them doing their landscaping work around the yard. They do wonders with tick control, etc. The fertilize everywhere they go. They've always been friendly and happy.
If it comes down to keeping them penned up, I don't think I'll keep them. And if predators become more of a problem, it might come to that. But like I said, for 2 years now I never even gave it a second thought. Now that ol' Mr. Fox came around tho, I may change my tune.
