Free Range or Not? What Does Everyone Prefer?

[jtbrown]

We lost 11 hens this spring to what we believe was a fox attack. We were very careful after that, and they do free range less than before but we have taken to leaving our corgi out with them when we are home or of we go run an errand and they are out free ranging. He takes his herding job seriously and even gets hens out of the way of cars in our turnaround. Our corgi was a rescue and we feel so lucky to have such a great dog. He loves protecting those chickens. Plus, he hates airborne predators, thinks they are out to get him. Even before we got chickens, he barks like a wild dog and chases birds, buzzards, and planes away with all his heart. That is a big help. He now sits with chickens pecking away around him and doesn't mind.

But we don't leave them out all day any longer unless we are home. They are let out in the evening, which is getting shorter this time of year. It was hard to lose our birds, but I still like free ranging them. I also have the Fort Knox set up of coops as we built it ourselves and it is tight. So at night we feel pretty good about the coop.

For instance, I worked all day today, my husband was home so they free ranged since early this morning. We took our kids to the movies tonight and it got dark while we were there. We left our corgi out, and felt fairly safe doing that and the birds put themselves up. I closed them up and checked on them when we got home at 10:30. I do know we could have just as easily been hit. It's a risk I am willing to take because I want them out and about and it saves on feed too!

So all in all, we do a mix of free range and run. We do have roosters, but this batch is still young and the older girls are just starting to squat for them, they have been pesky up until now, but hope they get their protector drive soon. These boys now would hop across hens heads to get away from a fox!

 

[Queen Bee]

At the other house, my chickens were able to free range when I was in the yard but never alone.... Here I am afraid it might be impossible for them. We have too many stray dogs, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, wild house cats, bobcats and other predators that don't seem to care if you are standing in the yard /riding the tractor/mowing grass etc.. They wonder thru now with no chickens... I can imagine what it will be like when we get the coop up and the girls in...

 

[Nickeyo]

At the other house, my chickens were able to free range when I was in the yard but never alone.... Here I am afraid it might be impossible for them. We have too many stray dogs, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, wild house cats, bobcats and other predators that don't seem to care if you are standing in the yard /riding the tractor/mowing grass etc.. They wonder thru now with no chickens... I can imagine what it will be like when we get the coop up and the girls in...

Shoot at the predators but miss them which will teach them that its dangerous to come to the yard and they will teach there babies not to come aswell. but as for the strays and wild house cats just shoot the cats because they dont count as pets so it is legal to shoot them and trap the stray dogs and give them to a shelter or if they harass your hens it is legal to shoot them. Another thing is Ex-bats. i had some girls who were attacked by a cat but they turned around and attacked it back. the cat left bleeding and my hens were fine

LOL

 

[mbrobbins]

I have indoor-outdoor runs, and I only free range when I leave my dogs in with them or have the time to sit and watch them from the hawks
I lost one of my roos last year to a hawk when I let him free range.I don't have large fowl, and silkies are a target. It is a great idea if there are not hawks in the area, and where there is lots of overhead trees and bushes for cover. My sister , who lives in Germany, recently visited with me. They've passed a law that the eggs that are sold now in the stores must be "cage free". I think that is a good concept for the animal and the eggs. My sister is a naturalist, and that makes her even happier living in Germany.

 

[Back on the Farm]

I let mine free range in the fall, winter, & early spring. They go all over my farm during the day, but always come back to the coop at night. During the summer - they are in the run, which is 12' x 100' (I have 12 chickens and 3 ducks). I have to pen them up mid-spring - late fall because of my veggie garden... if I didn't they'd destroy my garden in half a day. As it is, a few fly out of the run and have made a mess of my flower gardens and ate my lettuce & tomatoes - they also got a lot of the pesky bugs around the house and in the yard so I don't complain about my 2 girls that get out of the run, but if all of them were out I wouldn't have any veggies to eat.

Love letting my flock free range and hate putting them in the coop but a girl has to do what a girl has to do.... a few more weeks and they are back on the free range program.

 

[barredbeans7]

i think free ranging is great but then you have to worry about them getting worms(intestinal parasites)and coyotes are lurcking around and wanting a pretty tasty meal.but you need your chickens happy and they approve free range....(if i were a chicken i wouldn't want to be cooped up.)

 

[Desirai]

I don't free range my chickens unless I can be there with them because of neighborhood dogs. I've had to save my rooster from a dog once already. My chickens are my pets and it is my job to protect them.

 

[PurplePoppiPpl]

i have been free-ranging my pullets, but i had a few questions for those who have had chickens for a while (these are my first chickens):
1. how big do chickens need to be so hawks cant get them... i have wyandottes,sussexs, cochins, an orpi, and my smallest is a belgian D'clay bantam.
2.i live in wisconsin so i dont know what all predators i should be worried about... i cage them at night... so i am mainly worried about anything tat could get them during the day...????
3.would any foxes,fishers, hawks attack during the day???

anyone who has any tips or suggestion please send me a private message or post... thanks!

 

[dodgewoman]

Well, I just lost two of my chickens and found a mess of feathers in my woods. I'm thinking a hawk attack and my girls are 5 months old! Pretty big! It was an EE that lost her life. One of my friends said she has watched one of her roosters who was large taken away by a big red tailed hawk! So if they are hungry enough they will take any bird at any time! Scarey!

I have a questions too......I was free ranging all day when I was home. We lost two chickens in two weeks(one one Saturday and one the next Saturday). I currently have then just in the run for the past two days b/c I'm scared to loose more. They are so very very angry at us. I'm sad to see them cooped up. They loved to be out running in the yard. How long would you leave them cooped up? Would you risk a few hours at night while we can let the dogs out and be in the yard(I have one dog that has a good prey drive but sees the chickens as pets but I wouldn't fully trust her if I wasn't home). Also, if you do fully free range how many chickens do you loose to predetors? I don't want my whole flock decemated in a matter of weeks.

 

[karlamaria]

I don't free range my chickens unless I can be there with them because of neighborhood dogs. I've had to save my rooster from a dog once already. My chickens are my pets and it is my job to protect them.

And this is a good thing. I only free range mine when I am home and they can be monitored.( from 1:00 or 12:00 until bed time ) there pets, that give awesome eggs, but if one or more goes to the prey, then Im out eggs and a long time growing more up and hassles with integrating all over again. I have a girl setting on 12 now to give to a friend when there about 5 weeks old, im keeping 2.