Free Range or Not? What Does Everyone Prefer?

[pickledpurls]

I have 3 Australorps. I have a 6x4ft coop with a 6 x 12 run that they stay in until I get home from work then I let them out to wander about the yard in the evening hours till they go to bed. Not sure what I will do when the time changes.

 

[ChickInDelight]

Absolutely - free range if you can! If you cannot, make your chicken area as large and interesting as possible.

 

[flyingtnh]

We are very sure that free ranging is the right answer for us (I guess we're not 100% free-range, as our coop auto-door locks them up at night), but it comes with risks. We've lost (surprisingly few) birds to predators. We don't get full egg production because some of the hens find ingenious places to lay eggs. And, when it comes to the ducks, they're messy buggers and we spend a lot more time cleaning the floors of the barn than we would if they were penned up.

But... this has been a ridiculously bad tick season in our area, and even our neighborhood. We've had very few ourselves, even though we're out all the time. Our barn fly problems have dropped significantly since we got our ducks (now if we could get them to go after the horseflies with equal vigor, we'd be set). The raised feed costs this year haven't hit us as badly as they would if they weren't foraging (though we're not looking forward to the winter when their grain use will go through the roof). Very little problem with disease. And finally, we think the eggs are just better when they've got bugs and forage in them.

But, I can see many situations where confinement would be the better (or only) option.

 

[tacmomma12]

Our chickens have a large coop with a decent sized run underneath it. In the morning, they spend some time in there, where there is food and water. For a few hours each day only when we're home to keep an eye do we open the door to let them free range the backyard. Today, they were out most if not all of the day since we were home.
I would never let them wander in the yard at night or with no one home though. The coop is locked at night and has a timer/automatic door.

I have heard coyotes here and have seen hawks, so I'm always wary to leave them out too long. But they run right for the sheltered run of the coop if they hear any sign of danger while out during the day. So I trust them a little that way.

I think they are happier with all that space to scratch for yummy bugs and things. Their run looks terribly boring in comparison.

When winter sets in here, they will spend more time in the run I think, but for now they are enjoying their freedom!

 

[michellekelly10]

I did, very nice

Do the females of most of your breeds have big combs and wattles or do you have WAY too many roosters?

The coop looks to have a fair amount of draft through the wall (the one in the picture we have to lay down to see properly

). I know it doesn't get nearly as cold in TN as it does in VT but I'm wondering if you have to do something in the winter to cut the draft or do they just fluff up? Since my coop is in a drafty OLD barn, I'm thinking I'll have to block off some of the hardware cloth.




Bruce

I just have way to many roosters!! I'm trying to sell them but haven't had any luck so I guess into the stew pot they will eventually go. during the winter we have one or two heat lamps that stay on. If it gets really freezing cold and ever snows, I will have an electric water heater setting under their waterers. the chickens will let me know if they are getting to cold. if they are huddled under the heat lamp they are really cold and I need to lower the lamp.

 

[smoothmule]

I think it depends on the breed, the location and circumstances. I do both. I have free ranging roosters that I swap out in breeding pens. They get time to free range and build up after a period of breeding. The hens get a break from the coops in the fall and free range on the days I don't work.

Some breeds are just not good for free ranging. Some are too goofy and get into trouble when they don't have enough sense or ability to escape a predator. Others are too wild and will end up roosting in tree tops and not return to the coop. Some areas are not appropriate for it, ie close neighbors who don't appreciate flower beds tilled daily or tomato's tasted at the moment of ripeness.....lol

So, I'm neither for or against...... or I am both for and against...... I'm a mess...no wonder my chickens are the way that my chickens are...

 

[BrendaJ]

My hens are free range most of the time.They have a smaller fenced area by there coop as well but i let them out every morning. They love being able to walk around & eat bugs and plant life. They are able to be out for 8-10 hrs a day.

 

[LoveChickens123]

i really think free range is better

and they love to come out

but they love to go in the goat pen i just don't no why

but they make me happy and i love them

 

[Nickeyo]

 

[Nickeyo]

You are allowed to edit your posts. We would have NEVER known!

We in N.A. will ignore the additional misspelling (of spelled) since you are in England and spelt is an accepted alternate spelling there.

Here, let me do it for you!

(I would be the one on the right of course)

Bruce

thnxs for telling me. its not because im english its because im 13