Free range or supervised range

[olympicchicks]

Hi
I'm getting three chickens soon all australorps hopefully and I was wondering which is best to free range or to supervise range my chickens.
I would be just getting a house if free range but can change to pen if needed
The main predator would be cat,as I have rabbit and the cat watches and tries to ho for the rabbits
If I was to supervise range they would have a lot of time out as ther is someone In the house most of the time

Also would it be best to put a cockerel with two hens

 

[Duckopolis]

I think that supervised ranging would be better. That is what I do.

 

[drumstick diva]

Even supervised ranging isn't danger free. Raptors are known to swoop down in front of humans and grab chicks, grown birds and other small animals.

You can't watch every bird and predators are so fast- before you realize what has happened , it's too late.

I think a large, well fenced area is the safest way to go unless you can accept the loss of random birds thru predation.

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome to BYC!

I can't free range my girls unless I supervise as I have loads of predators lurking in bushes and in the skies. So the best option might be keeping them in a run.

You might want to do some reading on our predators page for more info on the dangers and what you might be able to do about them.....

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/chicken-predators-pests-how-to-protect-treat-your-flock

Good luck with your flock and welcome to our flock!

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! You've gotten some good advice above, what you want/ are able to do will depend on your set up and predator problems, here is a nice thread about free ranging https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/701610/free-range-or-not-what-does-everyone-prefer With the rooster, the generally recommended ratio on BYC is around 1 rooster for every 10 hens, if you have too few hens they tend to get over-mated and bothered too much by the rooster, so unless you want to get more hens, you probably don't want a rooster at this point.

 

[olympicchicks]

Thank you

I was thinking about a roo because I have read And watched that a roo will protect the flock as he will always be look out rather than foraging and other things like the hens so just thinking about that.
I also don't have many predators nearby I've not seen a raptor or a fox and I live in uk so no coyotes and bobcats.my main concern is the cat as he/she seems to come to the garden a lot and watches the rabbits

 

[gander007]

 

[olympicchicks]

Hi I've still not got my hens yet and have changed my choice to either one breed or a mix of bantams and I'm not getting a roo

The breeds I was thinking of we're either
3 lemon millefleur sablepoots
3 Belgian/barbu d'anvers
A mix of Pekins and pekin sablepoots cross
Or a mix of the different breeds

Which do you think I should get as I need a decent amount of eggs especially as they're small. Indeed about 12 eggs a fortnight but more would be nice as I could use them for baking and other recipes

 

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC! Glad you decided to join our flock. If eggs are a priority, I don't know why you would change from Australorps to one of the bantam breeds on your list. Australorps are the best layers of the standard, brown egg laying breeds. Not only will they lay considerably more eggs than any of the bantams on your list, but their eggs are much larger. In addition, Australorps are very calm and gentle, and are hardier (both heat and cold) than any of the bantam breeds on your list. I have to think you would be better off sticking with the Australorps. Please feel free to ask any other questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. Whatever breed you end up getting, good luck with your flock.

 

[olympicchicks]

Welcome to BYC!   Glad you decided to join our flock.  If eggs are a priority, I don't know why you would change from Australorps to one of the bantam breeds on your list.  Australorps are the best layers of the standard, brown egg laying breeds.  Not only will they lay considerably more eggs than any of the bantams on your list, but their eggs are much larger.  In addition, Australorps are very calm and gentle, and are hardier (both heat and cold) than any of the bantam breeds on your list.  I have to think you would be better off sticking with the Australorps.  Please feel free to ask any other questions you may have.  We are here to help in any way we can.  Whatever breed you end up getting, good luck with your flock.

I couldn't find any austrolaups in my area and eggs aren't my priority it would just be nice to have enough eggs my priority is a small,friendly,good looking breed