Does anyone else Free Range?

[Heather7]

I was free ranging mine all day for the last 2 weeks. We'd my idiot neighbors dog got 3 hens and my rooster. And it took me 2 hours to find my other hens. So I am a bit hesitant to let them out unless it's supervised. And i can't just sit with them, as much as i would love to. But whenever I walk outside they are begging at the door to get out. Dog is out of the pic (so I am told) so I will probably start letting them put again at least in the evening. The head to bed about 7 ish now. Lazy girls

 

[Bogtown Chick]

Last year they put out tags for the timber wolf. No longer endangered species. And now we haven't had sightings much like this any more in the last year. It's actually good. This animal should be on the skiddish side for its own good. Our deer population had been taking a hit too. DH is worried about our venison supply this winter. Controlled numbers is always a good thing. So sorry about your chooks being lost to the neighbor dog. You may have to sit with them a bit if they aren't used to free ranging and supervise. Until they get a little more trained to eyes in the sky and getting out of sight when a dog comes around. I think sometimes penned birds are just a tidge "institutionalized" -lol- recommend getting another rooster as well. Those guys are indispensable free ranging. It won't be long they'll be super savvy with their finding cover and grazing patterns around the property.

 

[SmColorInDaPan]

So happy, I don't have those types of predators! My 2 older girls are tapering off on laying, so may be in a pot for the holiday, that will be an experience, but all 4 have been free range, roosting in tree near cabin or in kindling box on back porch since the start, 3-4 yrs ago? My own dog has learned NOT to 'play' with the chickens. All the issue I have had with loss, SO FAR, my OWN dog! Lots of trees, sandstone cubby holes in the rocks, porches to hide from Hawks, I DO SEE. Oldest Roo, keeps a look out, calls girls when he finds snacks. Been a while since I have heard him make a "Scared" call.
Thanks for the reminder of what I have to be THANKFUL for!

 

[Heather7]

Yeah. I am going to go look at a couple of roosters tomorrow I hope. They out today and run for cover at any loud noise. They are funny

And thank you. It was a bit traumatic. Poor things

 

[Marcy54]

I free ranged mine for the first time tonight. Just for the last hour before sunset. They are almost 24 weeks, eight chicks and a rooster. They were so cute, they strolled around the yard. Behind the barn, looked at the canoe. I called them back, they seemed really happy. I really liked watching them stroll, fly a little. It was so cute! I got them back in with grapes, and a few mealy worms. Good night.

 

[Marcy54]

Yeah. I am going to go look at a couple of roosters tomorrow I hope. They out today and run for cover at any loud noise. They are funny

And thank you. It was a bit traumatic. Poor things

My little rooster was the first to hide when we had a hawk attack.

 

[vpatt]

I have 9 girls. I kept them in for about a month and now I let them out by lunchtime and they go in at bedtime.
So far we know of a fox being nearby but no trouble with it....we have heard coyotes, too. 30,000 acres of national forest behind us. I know there are many predators here ....those are just what we know are nearby at this minute. We have dogs inside and out.
I want a roo......I think the neighbors are far enough away to not be bothered BUT my hubbie does not want the early morning crowing. My question......do you know of any 'quiet' roosters? Lol, I feel silly even asking. I would prefer a Dominique as that is what five of the girls are....but I would consider a different breed......Iowa Blues or Ohio Buckeyes sound great to me.....but a plain old rooster could work, too.
Another question is should I put a nest box away from their coop to help keep eggs from being hidden or would I just be asking for trouble?
We have a pen for them when they need to be kept up...but our land is not fenced. I guess I will find out over time how far they will roam. I do worry about finding their eggs if they wander too far.
I love seeing them out in the yard...my granny used to keep chickens like this.

 

[dabbler939]

I have 30 hens. They are free range but they have access to their nest boxes inside the barn. Their food and water is inside. They enter and roam as they please. When it is getting dark we go out and shut them in until morning. We have free ranged them for about 2 years. We have had a couple of scares from hawks circling the area. There are coyotes, skunks, raccoons, and weasels in the area where they roam. We have a couple of roosters and they are protective of their hens. So far we have not lost any chickens. Our roosters are quite vocal. But I enjoy the sounds.

 

[whittychick]

I have 9 girls. I kept them in for about a month and now I let them out by lunchtime and they go in at bedtime.
So far we know of a fox being nearby but no trouble with it....we have heard coyotes, too. 30,000 acres of national forest behind us. I know there are many predators here ....those are just what we know are nearby at this minute. We have dogs inside and out.
I want a roo......I think the neighbors are far enough away to not be bothered BUT my hubbie does not want the early morning crowing. My question......do you know of any 'quiet' roosters? Lol, I feel silly even asking. I would prefer a Dominique as that is what five of the girls are....but I would consider a different breed......Iowa Blues or Ohio Buckeyes sound great to me.....but a plain old rooster could work, too.
Another question is should I put a nest box away from their coop to help keep eggs from being hidden or would I just be asking for trouble?
We have a pen for them when they need to be kept up...but our land is not fenced. I guess I will find out over time how far they will roam. I do worry about finding their eggs if they wander too far.
I love seeing them out in the yard...my granny used to keep chickens like this.

I don't think a quiet rooster exists! My rooster was a crower but didn't start until 730am which was amazing! However my neighbors hated him!

 

[whittychick]

I have 30 hens. They are free range but they have access to their nest boxes inside the barn. Their food and water is inside. They enter and roam as they please. When it is getting dark we go out and shut them in until morning. We have free ranged them for about 2 years. We have had a couple of scares from hawks circling the area. There are coyotes, skunks, raccoons, and weasels in the area where they roam. We have a couple of roosters and they are protective of their hens. So far we have not lost any chickens. Our roosters are quite vocal. But I enjoy the sounds.

I love the sound of a rooster too!