Do you free range your chickens?

[katycouts]

I do not free range because we have a large assortment of predators in this area and because I don't want chickens destroying my garden or my SIL's treasured landscaping.

That’s a good thought. My SIL lives on the same property and she loves her plants as do I so we don’t want those destroyed. I was also going to be starting a large garden in the spring.

 

[SourRoses]

I can't seem to figure out when it's not "Free Ranging", so I just call our setup "Ranging"
We have no proper runs, only fenced yards. Varying from 1/8 to 1/4 acre each. Except for one pen that can also go out to the 1/2 acre out front. The fence surrounding the property is 6 ft chain link. The pens keep them off the porch (except for fliers).
We have a lot of predators here. But we also have a lot of cover by way of trees and bushes. I think that makes all the difference. I'd honestly be too nervous to range in wide open areas.
About 10-12 times a day, the roosters call the alarm, and everyone makes for a bush. Sometimes it's a false alarm, but the drills keep everyone on their toes. Often, we go out to check because it's convenient for us to do so. But if we were away from the house a lot, I wouldn't feel so comfortable.
There are a lot of benefits in letting chickens out, it gives them so much more to do and their relationships are happier.
But if it comes at the cost of losing birds it may not be worth it.
It depends on each setup what the best course will be and there are a lot of factors to consider in that judgment. I would put foliage cover at the top of the list.

 

[WingsysRoost]

That’s a good thought. My SIL lives on the same property and she loves her plants as do I so we don’t want those destroyed. I was also going to be starting a large garden in the spring.

You could potentially put up a fence to keep them out, as well. It has to be high enough that they can't jump over it, but I've had success with doing that in the past.

 

[3KillerBs]

That’s a good thought. My SIL lives on the same property and she loves her plants as do I so we don’t want those destroyed. I was also going to be starting a large garden in the spring.

I'd rather fence my birds into where the do belong than out of where they don't belong.

We have no proper runs, only fenced yards. Varying from 1/8 to 1/4 acre each. Except for one pen that can also go out to the 1/2 acre out front. The fence surrounding the property is 6 ft chain link. The pens keep them off the porch (except for fliers).

My run is open topped -- electric poultry netting. I've lost one bird to a hawk. Of course it was a female, not the crossbeak male.

 

[K0k0shka]

I don't free range. My chickens are not bothered by that.

 

[Sally PB]

I don't free range. My chickens are not bothered by that.

I don't free range, never have. Too many predators, land and air. Including our dog and the neighbor's dog. I have the room, but no way to fence more than their run.

My chickens don't know what they're missing, so what they have is what they know. And I would be devastated if one of the dogs or something else got one.

 

[katycouts]

You could potentially put up a fence to keep them out, as well. It has to be high enough that they can't jump over it, but I've had success with doing that in the past.

How high does the fence need to be?

 

[katycouts]

I don't free range, never have. Too many predators, land and air. Including our dog and the neighbor's dog. I have the room, but no way to fence more than their run.

My chickens don't know what they're missing, so what they have is what they know. And I would be devastated if one of the dogs or something else got one.

That’s how I feel! I have 2 German Shepards and my SIL had two small dogs but they could still hurt or kill a chicken. Also our neighbor has 5 dogs and one is known for jumping the fence so I feel it just may not be worth it. I’ve also had hawks flying around their coop. I just love my girls and would be so sad if something happened to one of them if I could help it.

 

[Shadrach]

I can't seem to figure out when it's not "Free Ranging", so I just call our setup "Ranging"
We have no proper runs, only fenced yards. Varying from 1/8 to 1/4 acre each. Except for one pen that can also go out to the 1/2 acre out front. The fence surrounding the property is 6 ft chain link. The pens keep them off the porch (except for fliers).
We have a lot of predators here. But we also have a lot of cover by way of trees and bushes. I think that makes all the difference. I'd honestly be too nervous to range in wide open areas.
About 10-12 times a day, the roosters call the alarm, and everyone makes for a bush. Sometimes it's a false alarm, but the drills keep everyone on their toes. Often, we go out to check because it's convenient for us to do so. But if we were away from the house a lot, I wouldn't feel so comfortable.
There are a lot of benefits in letting chickens out, it gives them so much more to do and their relationships are happier.
But if it comes at the cost of losing birds it may not be worth it.
It depends on each setup what the best course will be and there are a lot of factors to consider in that judgment. I would put foliage cover at the top of the list.

Ranging v Freeranging is an excellent distinction to make.
Currently in the UK free range is defined as unconfined between dawn and dusk by DEFRA.
There has been some thought on this subject recently due to the bird flu outbreak and the restrictions the government has made on the keeping of poultry.

 

[Sally PB]

Ranging v Freeranging is an excellent distinction to make.
Currently in the UK free range is defined as unconfined between dawn and dusk by DEFRA.

Is there a definition for "ranging?"