Free range and predators

[Springdale Chris]

I would love to free range my chickens during at least some part of the day but ....... we have hawks and coyotes abundant in the area. Although at least the coyotes are not that visible during the day, they are spotted occasionally (they have taken all my cats at one time or another) and my chicken coop is not in direct sight of the house..... although I would not be able to watch them all day even if it were.

Is it pretty easy to teach them to come in every evening before dusk?


Should I even try?

I have also heard that skunks can be dangerous to chickens - is that true?

 

[LynneP]

My chickens are free-run- see BYC website listed on left. We have the same predators, and no one who free-ranges here is able to keep their chickens safe. But you might not be as densely threatened as we are. Skunks are very interested in eggs and will scavange a dead carcass, never heard of one making a kill.

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

yes its easy to call them in at nite.. and they will want to roost in a familiar place. say/sing/yell 'chick chick chick' thing while feeding them and they will associate it wit food - and they will come running when you call them. i just have to walk outside and i get stampeded.

can you fence part of your yard? let them out when you are home/outside? do you have a rooster? a good rooster will yell when there is a hawk and send everyone running for cover. can you provide them with lots of hiding places?

if there are a lot of predators only let them out when the sun is up and start herding them in before dusk....and the lock them up tight.

good luck!

 

[Springdale Chris]

Thanks Lynne, the link was helpful.

I am jealous or your cats. we have introduced several cats to the property, feral and semiferal, following all the directions we received about introducing them to the property but, all have disappeared, either to coyotes or ....... ????

We will try again but it occurs to me that I will also need to worry about the cats getting the chickens. . And I will go ahead and try to free range the chickens and hope for the best.

Thanks

 

[gritsar]

I trained my chickens to their coop before letting them out the first time and now they come in at dusk like clockwork.
We have coyotes, bobcats, hawks, at least one pair of golden eagles, you-name-it.
My chickens have lots of good cover, an excellent rooster and I'm out and about alot during the day.