Define “free range”

[Suzz]

I was free ranging truly 20 acres they always ended up under a car or in the garage but now they have an large enclosed yard and they truly seem more comfortable I think it might seem more secure to them

 

[Loving my girls]

We live in the country, so free-range to us means our silkies can come out of the coop to roam our 2.5 acres anytime the temp is above 20F, and windchill is not below zero.

We border a forest and have farmer's fields on the other three sides. We have two dogs (border collie and corgi) that keep the riff-raff out, and numerous solar motion lights. Everyone is locked up at night in a coop that is like fort knox.

Do you take human lodgers ?

 

[Debbie292d]

Do you take human lodgers ?

It depends if you would have to be quarantined, but regardless, surely! We have a spare bedroom in the basement with a full bathroom.

 

[Loving my girls]

It depends if you would have to be quarantined, but regardless, surely! We have a spare bedroom in the basement with a full bathroom.

oh bless you, funny how I’ve never met anyone called Debbie who isn’t an absolute darling.

However just wombling with your hens sounds just fine for me but somehow I think that is a pipe dream

From Déborah aka Debby

 

[HollowOfWisps]

That is a loaded question depending on who you ask. A small concrete fenced pad without a blade of grass outside of a barn could technically be considered “free range” based on some laws. To me personally free range means that they have free range of the property that they are being house on or at least the majority of it. I call my hens and rooster “free range” because during the day they have full access to my 30 acres. My butcher pen cockerels I don’t personally consider “free range” even though they have access to a 60x40’ fenced grass area.

 

[KimbosKluckers]

Label rouge is a government run standard which is set, controlled and monitored by, you guessed it, the government.
I won’t show you the EU standards for egg laying hens as it will give you nightmares

I can only imagine. Ugh.

 

[KimbosKluckers]

We live in the country, so free-range to us means our silkies can come out of the coop to roam our 2.5 acres anytime the temp is above 20F, and windchill is not below zero.

We border a forest and have farmer's fields on the other three sides. We have two dogs (border collie and corgi) that keep the riff-raff out, and numerous solar motion lights. Everyone is locked up at night in a coop that is like fort knox.

This is similar to what we will be doing. It’ll be a trade off for the dogs separately then pig/chickens. I have a whole new set of worries once the fence is installed though.

 

[KimbosKluckers]

That is a loaded question depending on who you ask. A small concrete fenced pad without a blade of grass outside of a barn could technically be considered “free range” based on some laws. To me personally free range means that they have free range of the property that they are being house on or at least the majority of it. I call my hens and rooster “free range” because during the day they have full access to my 30 acres. My butcher pen cockerels I don’t personally consider “free range” even though they have access to a 60x40’ fenced grass area.

It does seem to depend on who you ask and the government laws seem to be a nightmare. I agree with your definition. Thanks.

 

[KimbosKluckers]

For you free rangers, do you have a recall system? I’m thinking a clicker or a dinner bell vs me screaming “come home chickens!” In the big yard they have now, they do not go to the run and coop until dark. I want to be able to get them back asap as needed. They do follow my pig everywhere and I know he comes to the sound of cheerios.

 

[Ridgerunner]

For you free rangers, do you have a recall system?

Get a bucket and put some treats in it that will rattle. Maybe corn, cheerios, or sunflower seeds, whatever rattles. A couple of times a day feed them some treats while rattling the bucket. Chant something like "Here, Chicky Chick" or "Chick, Chick, Chicky" so they get used to it as a call. Before too long they should start running to you whenever they see the bucket, here your chant, or hear you rattling the bucket. They'll probably run to you and become a nuisance anytime they see you, even without that stuff.

Don't overfeed them when you treat them. Leave them wanting more. And be consistent. Don't use the bucket or chant unless you are treating them.