Do you free range your chickens?

[Gayleyy]

I used to free range my chickens and it was awesome. Currently I live in the woods and there are just way too many predators. I let my turkeys run around in a fenced area, not much messes with them.

 

[Tired old Rooster]

On the subject of hawks and such predators, has anyone tried setting up an umbrella shaped thing with pieces of mirror glued on, sort of like the disco ball things we used to have in places I used to frequent as a young rooster? I suspect they may have a problem finding targets from up there with sun reflection back up at them.

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

On the subject of hawks and such predators, has anyone tried setting up an umbrella shaped thing with pieces of mirror glued on, sort of like the disco ball things we used to have in places I used to frequent as a young rooster? I suspect they may have a problem finding targets from up there with sun reflection back up at them.

I think there are many things that may deter the hawks for say, one time, maybe? lol. Certainly none of those ideas would make me feel safe leaving them unattended. Not even for one second. Without cover from above, your taking a BIG chance. In otherwords, I personally would never recommend relying on any of those tactics to keep my chickens safe from aerial predators. Not long term anyway. Good luck! Keep those gals safe! I live in a valley on the side of a state forest and the hawks have a lot to say here! The 6 today came pretty low, as i understand, 2 were much younger, smaller and probably out on a training session. Cant blame the hawks. They are magnificent and regal and should never be underestimated.

 

[Florida Bullfrog]

The main thing you have to depend on in deterring hawks is the quality of your chickens. The right chickens can outfly, outrun, outwit, and sometimes out fight, hawks most of the time.

I lose only a small number of adult chickens to hawks a year, even though hawks may make daily runs on my flock for weeks at a time.

I have noticed that as I now have a selection of very mature game brook cocks to chose to rotate on free range, hawk activity around the house has dropped to almost nothing. By "very mature," I mean 2-3 years old at least. I've noticed that how willing a rooster is to confront a predator has a lot to do with reaching true maturity in that age range.

 

[CrazyChicken Lady]

I only do supervised free range, I have 5 acres surrounded by wood and field on all sides with occasional neighbors and many more predators. Our biggest problems are dogs( neighbor has free range bird hunting dog, dumb I know) and foxes. We’ve lost maybe 2 to coons though. For the first 5 years or so of chicken keeping I free ranged all day every day. Not anymore though. Rounding up on 10 years experience and I can’t stand losing more birds. First couple years had loss after loss. Now I haven’t had a bird die by predators in years. Even though my birds free range for multiple hours almost every day. About 2 hours before sunset I let everyone out and then do all my outdoor chores for the day. It’s a good method for me and I like staying near my ducks. I’ve only had ducks for 3 years but they are worth way more to me than chickens. I definitely don’t have any favorite birds… that’s just my preference though.

Edited to add- never once had a hawk related incident which is totally strange since they are all over the place and I have bantams….

 

[lacychappell4]

No I have Silkies , Silkie mixes and with the predetor bird population, feral TAR cats and loose dogs . My chickens wouldn't stand a chance . Silkies aren't the most predator aware birds .

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

I only do supervised free range, I have 5 acres surrounded by wood and field on all sides with occasional neighbors and many more predators. Our biggest problems are dogs( neighbor has free range bird hunting dog, dumb I know) and foxes. We’ve lost maybe 2 to coons though. For the first 5 years or so of chicken keeping I free ranged all day every day. Not anymore though. Rounding up on 10 years experience and I can’t stand losing more birds. First couple years had loss after loss. Now I haven’t had a bird die by predators in years. Even though my birds free range for multiple hours almost every day. About 2 hours before sunset I let everyone out and then do all my outdoor chores for the day. It’s a good method for me and I like staying near my ducks. I’ve only had ducks for 3 years but they are worth way more to me than chickens. I definitely don’t have any favorite birds… that’s just my preference though.

Edited to add- never once had a hawk related incident which is totally strange since they are all over the place and I have bantams….

I like what you have going on. Our favorite is the 2 hours before roost. Favorite time of day.

 

[centrarchid]

I only do supervised free range, I have 5 acres surrounded by wood and field on all sides with occasional neighbors and many more predators. Our biggest problems are dogs( neighbor has free range bird hunting dog, dumb I know) and foxes. We’ve lost maybe 2 to coons though. For the first 5 years or so of chicken keeping I free ranged all day every day. Not anymore though. Rounding up on 10 years experience and I can’t stand losing more birds. First couple years had loss after loss. Now I haven’t had a bird die by predators in years. Even though my birds free range for multiple hours almost every day. About 2 hours before sunset I let everyone out and then do all my outdoor chores for the day. It’s a good method for me and I like staying near my ducks. I’ve only had ducks for 3 years but they are worth way more to me than chickens. I definitely don’t have any favorite birds… that’s just my preference though.

Edited to add- never once had a hawk related incident which is totally strange since they are all over the place and I have bantams….

If you are in a heavily wooded area, the your resident Red-shouldered Hawks will dominate Red-tailed hawks where the latter need more open areas to hunt. The Red-shouldered Hawks are much less likely to go after chickens. The Coopers Hawks in your area may lack skill set needed to tackle large chickens, especially when the chickens fight back.

I have used the limited free-range time at end of day with good results as well.

 

[Florida Bullfrog]

If you are in a heavily wooded area, the your resident Red-shouldered Hawks will dominate Red-tailed hawks where the latter need more open areas to hunt. The Red-shouldered Hawks are much less likely to go after chickens. The Coopers Hawks in your area may lack skill set needed to tackle large chickens, especially when the chickens fight back.

I have used the limited free-range time at end of day with good results as well.

That has been my experience as well. My local red shouldered pair will often mob red tails, and I’ve lost no more than 5 adult chickens to red tails in my entire lifetime. The red shoulders will take sub adult chicks in spurts but not with enough regularity for me to care about it anymore. I also agree that the accipiters don’t like chickens that put up a fight and I think that’s the best deterrent against them. Although I’ve also lost several bantam-sized mother hens in the past to one specific accipiter for the very reason they would stay and fight for their chicks and that particular hawk knew how to handle them. That’s a primary reason why I’m working to increase the body size of my hens.

 

[Ponyiqandhens2]

I always appreciate the practical experience from @Florida Bullfrog and many others. I have red tails,peregrine falcons and for the first time in a very long time i have seen two red shouldered hawks.. we have the occassional eagle,heron and two owls next door...

My primary rooster is a sebright,he is actually very good, the 2nd subflock cockerel is a jubilee orpington who was clueless, but after several months you can literally see him imitating my primary..the 3rd subflock was raised by my old english game bantam but 5 were sebrightx mille fleur d'uccles ( 4 pullets 1 cockerel) and a sebrightx egger cockerel..he is almost like a wild bird..he was crowing by 6 weeks ,dancing,mating by 11 weeks..he is going to be a great rooster,he is fast assertive always watching gets his girls on/off the roost.. he is all deep earth tones ..i actually like the whole group..smart, really quick,in fact the 1 other cockerel we call road runner..


And i have a baby group that ranges from 4 weeks to 9 weeks,some cockerels that will go to freezer camp (silver wynadottes and a buff orpington)
Two actual ameraucaunas,1 egger,1 buff orpington,1 possible silver wynadotte pullet,and two unsexed patridge bantams ( 4 weeks they are the only two locked up at night due to size)

Anyway,based on what ive learned here is earlier out better..