Free Range or Not? What Does Everyone Prefer?

[janinepeters]

For 19 chickens, 2 large, totally enclosed runs to which they always have access, and a 1/3 acre fenced area, to which they have access when I am home, which is at least the entire afternoon, virtually everyday, and sometimes the whole day. True free ranging around here, with no enclosures or fencing, is a free buffet for the local predators.

 

[Whittni]

I really like the idea, but I also keep a rooster around to protect the flock. I'm very interested in the Hen saddles with eyes on them. GrowYourBrew.com takes special orders for them.

 

[Fancychooklady]

My chickens sulk if they don't get out of a daytime . We live by the river and have many predators, ( quolls , rats, swamp harriers, hawks,and nesting sea eagles ), to name a few. I have 4x big covered pens for if I notice the sea eagle paying too much attention, but my German shepherd won't allow him to land anywhere near the house. After 13 years here I have only lost 1x hen to an owl and one to a goss hawk. Oh and a few to the dog when she was a puppy. Now she has more than made up for the error of her way.

 

[DianaMallory]

NO to free ranging - WHY- to heart breaking, to much worry!
Yes to fully enclosed runs! WHY- Doing everything I can to protect my birds!

 

[BackyardFarmMom]

This should have a poll at the top!

I keep my chickens in the run... They have a covered run that is totally inclosed and a larger run to play in the woods and dirt!
They have plenty of room in the large run for day time fun!

 

[mkcolls]

Yes! Yes! Yes! to free ranging.

We have just over one year under our belt with our flocks. All the chicks, poults, and keets started out in a very controlled brooder environment, moved to coops with attached, fenced runs. As they grew they learned where home was and came into the coop each evening, where they were locked in, safe and sound.

We had some (Easter Eggers) who flew the coop run when they were just 2 1/2 months old. They free ranged all day and came in each evening. We've had others who stayed in the coop, coop run, and never venture out - it is just their personality. We even have a sweet Salmon Favorelle rooster who is our coop roo. He watches over all the girls inside the coop and run and keeps the peace when the laying hens fuss over the prime nesting boxes.

All birds are encouraged to free range our 2 acre mini farm. We have the partially picked garden to prove it and we wouldn't have it any other way.

 

[Peepsicle]

My family keeps our chickens n a run with a coop, totally fenced in with hard-ware cloth all around it and on top, even 8 inches of it under the fence to prevent predators , (and the chickens themselves!

), from digging in and out of the coop. Our chickens are like family

. We didn't get them just to be laying hens

. There pets. We would be heart broken if we lost one of them

. We keep a close eye on them when we let them play on the lawn, and it's not just to keep them from eating the garden and grape leaves.

 

[Sk8inChick(en)]

This is an interesting thread.

Personally, I like the idea of free range with a "guardian," so to speak.

Our girls free range for a good part of the day when we are home, provided there is the faithful chicken watchdog, Ruthie to keep an eye on them.

They enjoy their free ranging time in the yard and they are always right at the door in the morning asking to go out.

Free ranging part time is a good idea for backyard flock owners. Provided you are home whenever they are out, and you lock them in a secure coop at night.

 

[ginnylea]

I live in the city but I have apretty good sized yard and most is fenched in. They are in their coop and run during the day and then I will let them run free for about 2/21/2hrs. in the evening then when they go in and go to bed I shut up their pen. Two weeks ago I had a Coopers Hawk show up but hhe could'nt get in the pen for food my girls were safe. He showed up for three days in a row finally I caught him and took him out to one of the lakes around here and let him go. I normally stay outside with them while they are out.

 

[Sk8inChick(en)]

My family keeps our chickens n a run with a coop, totally fenced in with hard-ware cloth all around it and on top, even 8 inches of it under the fence to prevent predators , (and the chickens themselves!

), from digging in and out of the coop. Our chickens are like family

. We didn't get them just to be laying hens

. There pets. We would be heart broken if we lost one of them

. We keep a close eye on them when we let them play on the lawn, and it's not just to keep them from eating the garden and grape leaves.

I feel the same way! I could never stand to lose my birdies!

That's why we keep a close eye on them as well as leaving the dog out with them.