Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Marie2020]

I could write pages about this and make myself thoroughly unpopular in the process.
The bottom line, as they say, is if you free range chickens some of them are going to die through predation.
If you read enough of the emergencies and deaths post on BYC you would soon realise that chickens kept in coops and runs get predated to; lots in fact.
If you see a run enclosed with chicken wire for example you're looking at a death trap. Believing that because you keep chickens in a coop and run makes them safe is a delusion. When, rather than if, that run gets broken into by a predator you are likely to end up with more dead and injured chickens than you would have should they have been free ranging.because the chicken can't escape. Out of all the coops and runs I've seen here on BYC only about 5% are what I would consider secure from the majority of predators.
So, that's your first consideration, how secure is your coop and run?

Next question. Do you consider the chickens to be your chickens, or individuals with a right of self determination?
It seems a silly question but here on BYC it seems to be THE core question.
@cfonts chickens it seems have that right of self determination. They chose to live there. Just because cfonts didn't buy the chickens, or otherwise get them, doesn't mean she/he cares for them any less I should point out.
If you see them as 'your' chickens then you are likely to feel responsible for everything that happens to them and have a range of emotions should they die in your care including pride fired anger. If you might feel these things then don't free range. You will be consumed by guilt should something terrible happen.

Next is the way you manage the chickens if you manage them at all.
I accept that many are going to die and this is as nature intended. It doesn't mean I don't cry over them when they do die, but I am not such a person to believe I can keep any other creature safe from harm even if I kept them in a padded cell.
I try to let them replace the losses as they would naturally. I have had to compromise and limit who sits and clutch size, but then I belong to the chickens greatest abusing species. I am the chickens worst predator. I steal their eggs, kill some to eat and sneak up on them at night when they're locked in their coops to catch them.
So, to 'manage' a tribe or tribes that free range you need a rooster, maybe more than one. If you can't keep, or cope with roosters, broodies, etc, then free range probably isn't for you. Just letting them out when you have the opportunity to supervise them is not really what free ranging is about.

Are you primarily interested in the welfare of the species, or the welfare of your chickens?
I don't think there is much doubt that our interference has meant that the probability is, in the not to distant future, the majority of chickens, even those kept by people who believe they care about them will have had their natural life span reduced by 80%. That's human care for you.

Other considerations.
Could you kill an injured chicken?
This is probably the most important skill if you are going to free range. There are some injuries that should not be tended to. The agony the chicken goes through while the human does what it thinks is a kindness can be devastating.
Could you kill a predator?
Some predators won't take no for an answer.
You've already got some chickens. There are breeds that fare better than others for free ranging. How one intends to keep chickens and manage the population if necessary should be the first question one asks oneself before one gets chickens. Not many do.
If you have hatchery or store bought chickens they wont have a clue about predator avoidance and will be reliant on 'natural' instinct. Natural instinct isn't enough with true free ranging. They need to be taught, or learn through experience. It's taken three generations for the chickens here to learn enough to make the losses through predation drop from one a month to one or two a year, excluding chick deaths.
A great deal is made of assessing what predators one has in the area. This of course changes and sometimes very rapidly. I've read with complete incredulity people posting that they don't have any predators in their area. Most predators like chickens it seems. Word gets around.
What sort of terrain do you have that the chickens will free range on? An open yard with a few flowers is not suitable. Chickens need cover, lots and lots of it.
A car scrap yard is probably a better environment for cover than most people gardens.
If you live in the jungle, then they should find what they need quite quickly. If you live in the desert or in some bit of frozen tundra then you probably shouldn't be keeping chickens at all.

I write at the end of the book I've written that I am completely against the keeping of chickens unless they are Ex Batts. What I am in favour of, if the circumstances are right is the introduction of feral flocks that hopefully we might all learn to live with.without them being seen as pests. It's strange how ownership and control can turn a creature from pest to pet.

I really needed to read all of this. It is really helpful. Thank you

 

[MaryJanet]

Hi Everyone! I hope you're all having a lovely Wednesday! I just wanted to post a short update on the mama hen of eleven. I decided to name her Rosie. Yesterday as I sat on my backyard patio, she and her chicks hung out next to me. I was very surprised with how trusting she was of me and how she didn't seem to mind me being near her baby chicks.

This morning, I went out back to feed the chickens and I saw that Rosie and her chicks were in the backyard again. I think she may have moved into my backyard I just wanted to share some photos of Rosie, so you can see the beautiful mama hen of eleven

View attachment 2603925View attachment 2603926

Hi Rosie!

 

[MaryJanet]

Quick Hattie Update

I went out to check on her and the whole tribe came running, including Hattie. She chowed down on some hamburger I had for them. She got right in the thick of the feeding frenzy. I think she is feeling better. I will continue to watch her closely.

I'm so relieved she's ok Bob!

 

[Marie2020]

I came in for a while and now have to leave . I hope I can catch you all tomorrow

@BY Bob . Thanks again

 

[Lady Red]

I must say...after reading all of the losses and scares you've all had, I'm petrified! We don't free range the babies, but they do have fenced off yard dedicated to them. Their coop and run are within their yard.
Dr. Tacky and Pingu already got into a fight with a squirrel about 2 wks ago...the squirrel lost the big fight to my sharp shooter son. This was after the same squirrel (I think it was the same one) had just trotted right into the run and coop like it was his own.
To @Shadrach 's point...I personally cannot kill a chicken nor a predator. I rely on DH and oldest son (who is moving out in June) for that.
It is tough...I view the babies as pets, with the future benefit of eggs in a few months.
I really hope the hawks, coyotes, fox, raccoons, fisher cats, possums, skunks, and squirrels wanting blood money just stay away! Do you think they read?? I could put up a "you're NOT welcome" sign

 

[featherhead007]

Hopefully they cheer up BLU as well as you.

By the way it took the USPS a week to deliver that 2-day package. I requested tracking information yesterday and all of a sudden it gets from FL to your house in a day.

Figures! Maybe somebody said "Oops "

 

[Shadrach]

My initial reaction when I first saw Fat Bird. Not a good spot to run out of steam!

Phew, she's with the others.

And the sheep are there.

A few moments later she was up at the duck food bowl with the rest making sure she got her share even if she did stagger about a bit. She came over to me for her nightcap of Metacam and vitamins.

 

[featherhead007]

I must say...after reading all of the losses and scares you've all had, I'm petrified! We don't free range the babies, but they do have fenced off yard dedicated to them. Their coop and run are within their yard.
Dr. Tacky and Pingu already got into a fight with a squirrel about 2 wks ago...the squirrel lost the big fight to my sharp shooter son. This was after the same squirrel (I think it was the same one) had just trotted right into the run and coop like it was his own.
To @Shadrach 's point...I personally cannot kill a chicken nor a predator. I rely on DH and oldest son (who is moving out in June) for that.
It is tough...I view the babies as pets, with the future benefit of eggs in a few months.
I really hope the hawks, coyotes, fox, raccoons, fisher cats, possums, skunks, and squirrels wanting blood money just stay away! Do you think they read?? I could put up a "you're NOT welcome" sign

Don't forget alligators

 

[Lady Red]

My initial reaction when I first saw Fat Bird. Not a good spot to run out of steam!View attachment 2604243
Phew, she's with the others.
View attachment 2604244
And the sheep are there.
View attachment 2604245

A few moments later she was up at the duck food bowl with the rest making sure she got her share even if she did stagger about a bit. She came over to my for her nightcap of Metacam and vitamins.

A story in pictures!

Don't forget alligators

Too cold here for them...too cold here for ME!

 

[Lady Red]

Ugh...I had uploaded a video of the squirrel fight (we have security cams, and my super tech savvy self took a cell video of the footage a couple days later). Alas, my file format is unacceptable!