Free rage vs preditors

[SMB4647]

Hi all!
We recently got our first flock of 6, and have them set up in a coop in the back yard. When we got our ladies, I had wonderful picture of having free range hens and letting the flock out to live their best life in the yard and do chicken stuff for a few hours a day.

However we recently had a close call with a hawk, and we have a neighbors dog who likes to wander into our yard. Coyotes also been seen occasionally during the day. Not often, but I’m found that I don’t want to leave our hens outside alone, even if I just pop inside for a minute. This is tough because I don’t necessarily have an hour or two to supervise each day.

Because we live on a hill, we dont have the ability to set up a big external run, nor do we want to have something that big in the yard. We have a 10x4 critter cage that we move around the yard, but they seem to get bored with that quickly, even though I try to add activities for them.

How can I make sure our hens get enough time outside while protecting them from predators? If this isn’t ok, are they alright spending all day in their run? We only have 6, so it’s not a huge space.

 

[ValerieJ]

What do you mean by activities? You need lots of obstacles. How big is your coop? For 6 birds it should be at least 24 SF, and I prefer larger than that. 40 SF of run space is the minimum space for 4 birds, so that is too small too. If you don't want a bigger run in your yard, then you need to rehome a few birds.

 

[Perris]

Anyone who free ranges risks losing a bird to predators - but predators get into coops and runs too, so you could say it is a risk you take however you keep chickens. You have to decide where you feel comfortable with the line between their safety and their freedom to roam. They will get better at predator awareness with time and experience, especially if you have a roo and they are heritage breeds.

PS hello @SMB4647! welcome to BYC

 

[ValerieJ]

Oh! Excuse my oversight of you being new! Welcome to BYC!

 

[bobbi-j]

There is always a risk when free ranging, even with a person on guard duty. Depending on your budget, you may want to consider investing in some electronet poultry fencing. It won't protect from aerial predators, but should keep your neighbor's dog and the coyotes at bay. Have you considered asking your neighbor to keep the dog off your property?

 

[centrarchid]

Consider rotating which birds are out on a given day. It will reduce distance they move and reduce odds of total loss.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome!
All excellent advice above. Electric fencing or electrified poultry netting work very well when set up properly. @Howard E has excellent advice, and Premier1supplies has good advice and equipment for this.
Pictures of your coop and run will be helpful here, and what sort of cover you have for them outside.
They do need a bigger run!
Free ranging chickens do get killed, sometimes all at once. Are you ready for that outcome?
Everyone's animals need to be home, not visiting the neighbor's. That means any dogs, and it means your chickens. If they can wander to a neighbor's yard, it's not good either.
"Good fences make good neighbors" has been true for a very long time.
Mary

 

[Howard E]

There are two components that allow one to keep birds alive. First is a chicken house/coop that is impenetrable to any and all varmints......which protects them at night and during lockup. Nothing gets in so birds are safe. But hand in hand with that means the house is sized correctly for this use. That means a minimum of 4 sf per bird. Somehow that number has been corrupted by a lot of the folks making the coops for BYC type growers. They use half that and the birds and not happy or healthy when confined in such close quarters.

The second part......is protected outdoor yard space.....either in the form of a secure spacious run.......or you want to offer more space.........then allow YARD space inside an electric fence, which will keep birds in and varmints out.

E fences won't protect against hawks and such, but will help with most of the others, including dogs. Especially effective against dogs.

 

[SMB4647]

What do you mean by activities? You need lots of obstacles. How big is your coop? For 6 birds it should be at least 24 SF, and I prefer larger than that. 40 SF of run space is the minimum space for 4 birds, so that is too small too. If you don't want a bigger run in your yard, then you need to rehome a few birds.

Thanks Valerie! My question was more about free ranging, and how to keep the birds safe. Any thoughts there?

 

[SMB4647]

There is always a risk when free ranging, even with a person on guard duty. Depending on your budget, you may want to consider investing in some electronet poultry fencing. It won't protect from aerial predators, but should keep your neighbor's dog and the coyotes at bay. Have you considered asking your neighbor to keep the dog off your property?

Thanks Bobbi! We have, he unfortunately is a roamer among our properties. Even when hes outside with his people, he likes to come over and say hi. Fortunately, he is actually their son's dog, and not here all the time, but enough that I get worried.