Free Range Coop question

Date sort Score sort
It all depends on your predator pressure, and the security of your defenses. I free range everyday, but I live around other houses and my predator pressure is low right now. I do have a predator fence in the works to keep my dogs in that will also benefit in keeping predators off the property.
 
Keep in mind that you can lose chickens to an electric fence. One of my favorite hens flew out of the run one day and touched the hot wire and she was killed instantly.
 
No matter what if you free range you will loose some to predators. I guess it is all in what you want if you have plenty and don’t mind the occasional loss then that’s your choice. If you don’t want to loose them then you may want to inclose the run and allow them to free range in the evenings an hour or two before dark then close the coop at night. Making sure it is predator proof.
 
To me, it is well worth it to free range if you can manage it. Only you know your area, what predators are present, and what will work for you. I would, however, want the birds to stay confined within the fence. You would need plenty of cover for them to escape aerial predators.
 
You are opening a big risk by letting them free range all day(even at night) if there was a way you could make a coop and run(with a roof) and they be really predator safe then they could stay in that. If you got a movable chicken coop then they could get to different parts of grass instead of it just turning to dirt.
 
happy duck said:
You are opening a big risk by letting them free range all day(even at night) if there was a way you could make a coop and run(with a roof) and they be really predator safe then they could stay in that. If you got a movable chicken coop then they could get to different parts of grass instead of it just turning to dirt.
Click to expand...
Everyone that free ranges knows there is risk involved. I'd rather have free range eggs and birds that have the freedom to explore, but that's just me. I know this isn't feasible for everyone. If the OP wants to free range, I can sympathize. I started with guineas in the expectation that my birds would be free range and so far it has worked. If All my chickens were kept in pens and runs I wouldn't be as into this hobby as I am.
 
Ghosty said:
Everyone that free ranges knows there is risk involved. I'd rather have free range eggs and birds that have the freedom to explore, but that's just me. I know this isn't feasible for everyone. If the OP wants to free range, I can sympathize. I started with guineas in the expectation that my birds would be free range and so far it has worked. If All my chickens were kept in pens and runs I wouldn't be as into this hobby as I am.
Click to expand...
I free range my animals and love the benefits! I was suggesting that they stay in the run when they are not home. When they are home I highly encourage that they free range.
 

Similar threads

C
    • Like
Check out my 1st coop
2
Replies
17
Views
2K
Daisy June
D
C
    • Like
Advice for first timer
Replies
4
Views
233
DobieLover
DobieLover
L
New coop upgrade…need some advice.
Replies
2
Views
229
Lkw
L
Aspen25
Chicken-proofing vegetable garden from free-ranging chooks
Replies
7
Views
1K
Aspen25
Aspen25
Chicks Creek
Advice needed for predator proofing this
2
Replies
12
Views
1K
Big Doggie
B

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom