Free Range or Not? What Does Everyone Prefer?

[Chicken Master1]

free range. if they are used to the coop they will come back at sunset or sooner. i like them freerange because last year the only grasshoppers i saw were being eaten by the chickens

 

[4 the Birds]

What great looking chickens you have. they are so fluffy!

How cold is it with the snow? the chickens are okay with it, their feet don''t get too cold?

sorry if I sound silly, but I think about these things.

Thanks! This is only half the flock... They are Buff Orps and Plymoth Rocks and Rhode Island Reds. They get some cracked corn in the Winter to add a little weight.... I should take a picture sometime with the snow REALLY PILED UP! I have to run the snow blower several times each winter to make paths for the birds and goats. They don't mind walking around in the snow.

 

[bruceha2000]

How cold is it with the snow? the chickens are okay with it, their feet don''t get too cold?

sorry if I sound silly, but I think about these things.

You don't need to worry about your chickens (existing or potential future) getting cold, you live in Florida

They have custom made, down coats that fit perfectly and are designed for the temperatures they live in. That is why heating a coop is not a good idea. Besides the expense and waste of energy, they won't feather for colder weather if they are always kept warm. Then, when it gets colder, they won't want to go outside because it would be like you or me going out without a coat. Not comfortable.

But, no, apparently their feet don't seem to get cold. The ground was frozen from Dec through, well, except for a few warm days, it is still frozen. I've seen some of mine standing on one leg like a Flamingo but they did that in the summer too. Mine don't care about a small amount of snow, I can see where they went by the tracks, but they don't like it deep enough they sink when they walk. Silly girls forget they have wings!

And - it is COLD when there is NO snow. The term "too cold to snow" seems stupid but when it is really cold it is because there is no cloud cover. No clouds, no snow. It got down near -20F several times this winter. The girls looked more like puffballs than chickens some days but they never looked uncomfortable. The only time they huddled together was on the roost at night and that is as much a security thing as a warmth thing.

Bruce

 

[denco5]

Free range is the way to go but one day you will loose chickens due to having them exposed to the dogs, racoons and other critters. I just twent thru a 13 hen lose, it is no fun. Build them a clean and safe pen that is totally secure and enjoy them for as long as mother nature lets you!

 

[TheStewarts]

I just learned in our area all livestock (chickens included) must be contained in some way. I called to learn about the leash law since I had seen my neighbors dog in our yard (no where near the coop thankfully) and I learned a dog needs no fence but a chicken does. Weird... so we are building a fence this weekend. They will still have free range on our property (8acres) but they will be contained in the fence. At least I won't have to worry about the neighbors dog!

 

[larry529]

now you just have to worry about hawks, eagles, etc...

I am in the process of building a complete enclosed run do to everything, I have property but unless I am outside I do not have faith that my birds are safe, and even outside, I can not outrun a coyote if it comes in for a snatch and grab.

 

[NewbeeDoo]

Does anyone know how much feed they save by letting their birds free range? Ours range an average of 7 hours a day but now we have chicks and I'm not comfortable letting them out til their bigger...I've been seeing too many hawks lately! Thanks for any help!

 

[PaulaSB12]

Mine free range most of the time, the onl time they are put in the run (and they get noodles to get them in it) is in the lighter months when I am on night shift. As I leave the house about 6.20pm and they usually go into the coop between 8 - 9 that is not too long. In the darker nights they are in bed by 5 so they don't need to be bribed. As for snow I found out what happens the chicken run(which is covered) door was open but tey where not going out in the nasty wet white stuff!

 

[buzzy bee]

We let our girls out of their run today for the first time, they are ex-bat hens and are doing very well, they were a little nervous when stepping through the door however when the boss hen walked out the others followed, I even had marylin pecking some corn out of my hand while lay on the grass it was a great feeling knowing that their becoming more confident, they took them selfs bk into the run when they had enough, but I'm sure when they get the taste of the outside world they may not b do easy to get bk into the run so will be reading the tips on here!

 

[Jajika]

My girls live in a section of my orchard that about 90 square yards and completely covered with poultry netting top and sides. They have five fruit trees and assorted bushes. I have two coops inside, one large 5' x 5'. A small one I use for newbies. Only one sleeps in the large coop. All the others sleep in the grapefruit tree.

. I guess you'd call this a "yard." However,once in a while I let them out for a "field trip" into the larger yard. They love it. As soon as I open the gate and yell "Field Trip" they run out. It is a totally different experience and they seem to have a ball. I stay out there with them to be sure they don't wander off the reservation and to be sure hawks don't get any ideas. They seem to love the experience I have no problems getting them back into their yard.