Free range or enclosed run?

[Compost King]

I have a mix of both, Before they reach sexual maturity they get to free range, When the roosters crow or cockerels get too aggressive they either go into a breeding program or they get listed for free on Craigslist... When the Pullets lay and become hens they either go into a breeding program or go up for sale on Craigslist. I might keep a few hens that lay if they do not peck the youngsters coming out of the brooder.

 

[Blooie]

I prefer to have both. There are times when we’re gone for days on end, and our little chicken sitter would be heartbroken if she was in charge, let them out, and something awful happened. She has mild Autism, so she often processes events differently, and I don’t think any amount of consoling her would make her feel any less guilty. Not putting my granddaughter through that!

I have some health issues, so sometimes letting them out and getting them back in is problematic for me. Also living in Wyoming, where we can see snow any month of the year, can make weather an issue.

So while my chickens love to be let out in the early morning for free range time until the sun is setting, and usually are out, there are times when having a large airy run is essential to me. Because their run is nice and big with plenty of diversions, like huge, thick branches for outdoor roosting, (one of which swings, and they usually crowd onto that one) logs in the litter that we flip over so they can dig underneath, and good, rich, true deep litter that hides lots of little munchies for them, they do just fine. Also it’s secure, so we leave their pop door open year round, 24/7 and they can go from coop to run and back as they please.

 

[Compost King]

I tend to like free range much better if you can get away with it. The more space and options they have the better they tend to do. Predators are more likely to strike free rangers but predators can get into runs too. The best solution is to do what @Blooie does, Have a nice sized run with things to do. Let them out when it can be managed. When I had a similar set up and was still new to chickens I would let them out an hour or 2 before sunset because they would come in to roost soon. As I became more comfy with Chickens I started just letting them have the run of the yard.

 

[RumneyRoost]

I've got a small flock of five girls. They have a 5' X 6' raised coop with an attached 6' x 10' predator proof roofed run. They're in here when we're away, while at work, and in the winter since they won't venture into the snow for more that a couple minutes.

Their coop and run is situated inside a 30' X 50' fenced area. This is where they get to range in the evenings and weekends during the rest of the year. My dog and the neighbours dogs do a good job of keeping predators away, but they would also consider the chickens a snack.

If I didn't have a fenced area I would give them a much larger enclosed area.

 

[chickens really]

Hello..I only free ranged during times I was able to watch over the Birds. You will figure out a schedule that works for you...

 

[ChicknWing]

Like others, I also do both. Free range and keep them contained in their run. Normally, I let them out in the morning and to free range as they please. Then lock the run in the evening to keep the preadators out / keep them from eating the chicken feed. My two coops also have automatic doors which close at night. This provides an extra level of security. If I'll be out of town, then they stay in the run. Before I had the pen / run, they used to free range regardless of whether I was home or not. And like others, I've lost a few to predators. So it's a mixed bag. There is no right or wrong. Each person does things based on their setup and what they feel works best.

 

[robinwhiskers]

I like the idea of free ranging, but way too many predators here. Plus the chooks are my babies and one is a trick chicken and like my best friend so I'd never let her free range! They have a big run, I visit them quite a bit during the day so they never seem to be bored. Because they've never free ranged they don't ever pace to get out or try to get out and if they're safe and happy, I think they're good!

 

[Madie'sOddFlock]

As most everyone else has said, it's all up to you. But we free range ours and haven't lost a single one to predators.

 

[Henrik Petersson]

I know many will disagree with me, but I truly feel the chickens are happier free ranged, they never get bored.

Really? Many will disagree? To that I have to disagree! It should be a no-brainer for literally everyone that chickens are happier free-ranging.

I mean, just look at them. When left to their own devices, chickens roam all day, over a surface way larger than any run. They're extremely curious creatures.

A possibly even stronger piece of evidence is what they do if you lock them in for a day after having free-ranged for a while: They will stand right by the fence and let out long moans of torment, for hours on end. Or just stand quietly by the fence and give you a very telling look if they happen to see you. If anyone can walk past a chicken run and be subjected to such sounds and sights without feeling a pang of guilt, I question that person's sanity.

Another way to think about it is that if a chicken were less happy free-ranging, it would simply stay in the run if the door was opened. But they don't. They tend to run out as if their butts were on fire.

Sure, free-ranging has many drawbacks. Predators, destroyed plants, poop everywhere. But decreased happiness on the part of the chickens? That should be a preposterous notion for anyone with anything resembling any kind of sense.

 

[Shadrach]

There almost always seems to be an underlying assumption that chickens contained in a run and coop are safer than chickens that free range.
A quick read of these forums will show you that predators breach coop security and unless the coop is extremely well built chickens still die.
The next point I find interesting is who exactly are we trying to protect when we confine chickens to a run. It seems to me from what I’ve read it is often the chicken keeper who had trouble dealing with their chickens dying; the chickens, well the dead ones don’t care any more and the ones that get left behind deal with the loss of their flock mates.
I free range in as much as the chickens get let out when the sun rises and get locked up at night. I lose chickens every year. Does it hurt? Yep, but it doesn’t hurt as much as seeing live animals kept in cages.
For me it’s that simple. Humans die, all animals die, it’s part of the price of freedom.