pspatbyc
Songster
I respect all that No judgment, i was trying to think/offer suggestions of a way to "Child Proof " the environment without limiting freedoms. It's sad to hear of anyone's losses but that's a risk we all take raising "Prey". I think you have a great setup and your flock is lucky to live with you. My flock is jealous of the freedom your flock has. Another thought I had was a "Floating Island" where they could make emergency landings.I know it is pretty popping around here.
I've thought of many things regarding the pool, including just making them live in the coop complex. That would greatly reduce the risks to their lives. Such as:
And make my life easier:
- Death by hawk
- Death by drowning
- Death by car on the street (I once found Phyllis in the street)
- Death by daytime ground predator (dogs, etc.)
But I would also miss out on:
- No poop to wash off the deck
- No poop to wash off the patio
- No one stealing my tomatoes from the deck planter
- No poop on my seat cushions
- No one sneaking in my house (I see you Phyllis)
- No one crushing the flowers in my deck pots
- No one banging on the back door demanding snacks
- No chickens mooching dinner when I eat outside
I just feel they should have the opportunity to roam and I always feel bad when they are locked in the complex all day.
- No coffee clatch in the morning
- No one sneaking in my house (I see you Phyllis)
- No chickens mooching dinner when I eat outside
- No one banging on the back door demanding snacks
- No watching them as they move across the grass mowing it for me
- No dust pits under the magnolia tree.
- No chickens being chickens
I could limit their free range to when I can guard them like a shepherd but that would limit their free range to an hour or so in the evening when I can stand guard. To me that is like recess at a prison. A nice prison but a prison none the less.
I choose to let them free range when I am home despite the risk. I feel it is a better quality of life for them and I try to manage the risk by checking on them and listening for alarm calls. This instance with Ned is the first time no one has called for help when some one has fallen in the pool. I am usually there within minutes if not seconds of someone falling in. The call for help is very distinctive.
This is not the right solution for everyone. It is how I have chosen to let my ladies live. It has cost me several hens, Dolly to a hawk, Elphie and Dusty to the pool, and sweet Maleficent to a predator. But Maleficent would not have been the special hen she was cooped up in the complex day after day.