Do I have to worry about predators during the day?

[redstars]

Yes.
I saw a weasel about a month ago While cutting the grass.

 

[Wifezilla]

If I want to let the girls free range how do I make certain they are safe?

A guardian of some sort. You, a livestock dog (like a great pyrenese), a donkey, a very large goose (wont help against coyotes though), a llama (those will work against coyotes)....​

 

[Big C]

Build your coops and runs predator proof.

 

[Wifezilla]

She is asking about during free ranging.


You could build a chicken tractor.

 

[houndit]

We lost 30 hens to 2 foxes. They were so brazen that they would come out in broad daylight. It was so bad we could not let the chickens out unless I could watch them. So when I could I would go out in the late afternoon and watch our flock that had consisted of 100 hens, until it was dark and they went in. One fox came within a few feet of me trying to get chickens.

 

[here-a-cluck]

So if I let them out for awhile in the late evening they will go back into their coop unassisted?

If I let them out for awhile during the day can I get them back in by offering a treat? What are some tricks to get them back during the day?

Thanks for all the advice I'm still trying to figure this out. They are still in their pumpkin box/kiddie pool brooder but I have to think ahead

 

[here-a-cluck]

Our coop will be moveable but I would like to have them out as much as possible.

 

[KMHunter]

I let mine out whenever I am home and can keep an eye on them. If I need to get them back into the coop, I get their favorite treat, and call to them and show them what I have, and they come running. I usually place whatever I have in the run and after they all go in, I close and lock the door. My run and coop are predator proof, with electric wire around the whole thing. But I never feel completely confident that something will not be able to get at them.

 

[cook_kaka_ook]

Let them free range in your presence. Be around and enjoy watching them scratch for for food or chase bugs. I free range my flock 2hours a day when I get home from work and at least six hours on the weekend. I've seen a seen a hawk lurking nearby at 9 in the morning. So watch out.
Have Fun!!!

 

[JamWest1007]

Every hen we have lost has been during daylight hours...our girls have always been cooped at night.

We continue working to predator proof our hen yard, and although that is not as nice for them as free-ranging was, I feel better knowing they will be safe. And to compensate, we have made their yard as big as we can. It is making it more difficult to predator proof, financially. But hopefully, when our projects are complete, we will feel confident that they are safe, and they will have enough space to feel as though they can really explore.