Free Range Coop question

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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.
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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.
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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.
 

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