Daytime Free Range Questions

[Reilyjarm]

@Reilyjarm from the looks of your photos, you will keep your grass. Just guessing but if they’ve got your whole yard you could probably have 8-10 easily.

I would strategically provide them with spaces to dust bathe in. They may have already picked favorite spots in the sun and shade. Do what you can to encourage them to those spots or provide them an area in a tub or something and as far as foraging and scratching you have plenty of space. They will have their favorite spots and it’ll be easiest if you follow their lead and then work around that while you are planning your landscape elements for cover.

I THINK I read once that it’s 80 chickens an acre for the grass to keep up with the manure and scratching. That would be 5-6 chickens on 3000 square feet of grass. Also, you’re probably not technically sun up to sun down on that grass, you’ll have a fair amount of poop in the coop so you should be good.

You’ve got it!! My husband just estimated for me and my chicken sanctuary is 3000 sf. So about a little more than an 1/2 acre!! I DEFF have a great amount of poo in coop and I’m going to try to plan my plants around the ladies Likings. Thanks so much! You’ve given me hope in keeping my lush grass!!

 

[Reilyjarm]

I made the newbie mistake of not providing protection overhead and as a result lost my favorite Plymouth Rock to a hawk. After that, we constructed a web made of fine climbing rope and then suspended a net overhead. However, that works for us because we have a fenced-in yard just for the girls (see photo). While we were busy constructing the fence and netting, we set a pallet on some cinder blocks to provide some cover. We ended up leaving it in the yard because they really like it. They take turns flying up and jumping off all day long. You could get a few and put them in different spots and you'll have an easy, practically free solution. It's not foolproof, of course, but it will give them a chance in the event a hungry hawk shows up.View attachment 1548994

LIVING FOR YOUR SET UP! And thanks so much for your great pictures and amazing ideas for netting above!!! I’m so sorry about the loss of your Plymouth Rock, if something happened to my girl Harriet... I’d be devastated! I have set up a small piece of plywood up against my house for them to hide under until I can get a more permanent solution, and your netting looks like the best bet!! And they ladies will love having the plywood set up on cinder blocks.. that will be happening tomorrow! Amazing suggestions! Thanks again!!