Free Range Expieriences

[Beekissed]

Quote:
You can't keep them away but you can make it more difficult for them to complete their mission. I use free range dogs along with my flock and plenty of getaways. My flock range in an orchard and have fencelines and buildings in which to duck for cover. Some folks place pallets up on blocks in the middle of their range so they can run for cover...these also make good dusting and shade spots for the girls.

A good rooster that is very vigilant is also a plus. If you have determined hawks, even all these methods will not keep them from snatching a meal. They will just perch and await their moment, especially if you border a woodlot or forest.

Free rangers just accept the fact that they may lose some. I've free ranged for years now and only lost 2 this year~I put that down to an inexperienced roo and two pair of very determined red tail hawks who just would not go away. But they never came back to repeat the performance...I think the roo learned a lesson that day, no losses since then.

 

[Crazyland]

Mine are locked up at night but during the day they have free range. They don't like to go out into the open. They tend to stay close to the house and shed. But they are also under 6 months of age. Probably when they are older they will go further away from the house. They are always at the door to their 10x10 in the morning when I go outside. They hate to be locked up even with that much room!

 

[gritsar]

My chickens have been free ranging since they were tiny chicks. They've always been healthy. Like slackwater said, no mites, lice, coccidia or other health issues. About the biggest problem I have is Lilith finding things to eat that aren't meant to be eaten - broken glass, can tabs, etc.
They are locked in the coop at night for their safety and are let out for the day as soon as I get up in the morning.
They are smart about predators and I feel part of this is because they have been free ranging since chickhood. I've noticed that during prime hawk feeding times - which I am told by wildlife experts is between 10-11 AM and 3-4 PM, my chickens stay under cover of trees or bushes or whatever they find, an old satellite dish for example.

 

[DIMBY]

Mine have free ranged since about 10 weeks, and they love it. After losing one to hawk or owl (don't know which) about two months ago, I kept them in for a few days, and they got very cranky. I made a scarecrow and then I also hung little triangle flags across some "bare' spots in my yard. No losses since then, and now that it's warmer the dogs are spending less time in their dog houses and more time out with the girls. Like others who have posted, have so far had no lice or mites or any other problems - but I do powder their hen house straw/wood shavings with dust and also the ground outside the run where they like to congregate during the day.

 

[chauqg]

Quote:
Mine have been free ranging during daylight since they were 8 weeks old as Cappy said they become very wary of large flying birds. They have successfully hid from hawks on the ground and in the tree above them.. They hid in a rose multiflora bush which is impossible to penetrate.

My RIR's learned when they were small, I helped as much as I could keeping an eye on the birds - they will tell you when something is around, but now that they are full grown they pretty well take care of them selves hiding in the brush, under the coop or where ever they feel safe. They are wise. BTW hawks and owls are bitter enemies of crows, the crows around here keep them moving all the time.

Good Luck.

 

[BarredBuff]

Anymore stories?

 

[elf]

I have a couple of guineas (supposed to be a pair but ends up they're bros.) They think the chickens are their flock and herd them up around our house or under the carport whenever they suspect danger, be it a hawk or an airplane. They scream beforehand, so if you're around you'll be alerted. Of course, they also scream for no apparent reason. These guys were adolescents when we got the chicks and sat on the brooder watching them when they were tiny.Ever since the chickens were old enough to freerange, the guineas have spent about 30 minutes chasing them each morning, partly for fun and I think partly to establish dominance. They sleep in trees over the chicken pen. They have required no care and eat mostly foraged matter, so I would suggest you consider a few if you plan to free-range. Although, I have heard of them fighting with roosters, mine just run like the wind. If you happen to have jaybirds around that will also deter hawks. I witnessed one this week running off a hawk and they imitate hawk calls to run them away from their young. Good luck with the ranging, and good luck to any flowerbeds you may have.

 

[elf]

OK, well maybe you should read the recent posting, "Evil guinea...." before making your decision about that.

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

I have always free ranged my crew (two years now) and never lost one to a hawk although I see many hawks around they have never come after one. I do have a lot of trees/bushes around for them to hide under though. They all love it and its been great for us. PLUS you get MUCH better tasting eggs that way too

Dark rich yolks that everyone loves

Just to add...I free range mine from daylight to sunset every day

They go where they want to go and they put themselves to bed at night...all we do is close up the coop when they are all in for the night.

 

[gmachicken]

Thanks for the encouragement on the free ranging. I seem to be doing what the rest of you are doing. Our 10X10 coop is now the brooder but the big girls and 1 roo come in at night. If I don't get out quite when I should they are roosting on the closest things they can get on. A storage bin and the gate. I have to take them one by one in to the coop because they are almost immobile. Maybe they just don't see at night. Very nice about me moving them. Thanks for the question and thanks for the comments.