Free Range vs. Chicken Run

[Lbrad7]

A hawk will eat a rooster just as fast as it will a hen. When they are swooping down at about 100 mph they could care less as to what the sex of their prey is. The rooster is just as dead as the hen.

I have had many a roo meet their end at the talons and beak of a red tailed hawk. The only way I stopped the killing was to keep them in a covered run. I do let them free range a couple times a week but only when I can sit out there with them.

 

[ECBW]

MSdowning, do not despair and do not give up. Build a run at about 10sf per bird and they will be perfectly happy. My run density is now about 6sf per bird because of chicken math, yet everyone is fine.

A friend who has 13 acres keeps his flock in a run full time because 13 acres house lots of predators. His RIR are all healthy and extremely productive.

Hey, they are not in battery cages!

 

[Mattemma]

Given that you have a small number of chickens I would opt for a run.They would be fine in an enclosure.Still I would set some traps to catch your chicken killers.

 

[trooper]

I have an approx 30x70 ft run for my chickens.I only have 9 chickens but that varies from time to time.They have plenty to eat and plenty room for exercise.I have approx 10 acres in the country,but I like to keep them protected.So that it doesn't cost me so much at a time I'm continously improving my set up. I eventually will get it right.

 

[buckabucka]

When you get your next chickens, you could try confining them to a run and see how it works out. I think if they never go out, they might not know the difference.

Our original intention was to keep ours secure at all times. We did take them out in a tractor (covered in chicken wire, so not predator-proof) anytime we were home. This all worked out fine until the long snowy winter. We had one feather-eater, and this behavior escalated during late winter and spread among the flock. They started drawing blood, and we were using a lot of blu-kote. We increased protein, hung cabbages, gave flock block, etc. As a last resort, we started letting them loose. They did not go far because they would not walk on the snow, they only followed the shoveled pathways. The feather picking stopped, except for two hens, which are now outfitted with pinless peepers.

What we do now, is let them out into a large fenced-in area (only one hen likes to fly over), but only when we are home. Certainly a hawk could pick one off, but once we had let them taste freedom, they really wanted out. We can move the fence around, and it is easy to herd them back into the secure run with treats. I expect to lose hens to predators someday, but have been lucky so far.

With your experience, I would be inclined to keep them secure and try to provide entertainment so they don't pick each other apart. You may want to select for breed that tolerate confinement well.
Good luck to you!

 

[chikinwing]

I completely understand what you are experiencing. I have allowed my chickens to free range for 2 years and never had much of a problem until this spring. It seems like they keep getting plucked off one by one. It is always during the day and no sign of carcass. My guess is a fox but I have yet to see it. I have decided to keep them in the run, which is what I usually do during the winter months anyway. They are not happy, they really want out. I think the person who suggested walking their chickens is a nice idea, one that I will try myself. I just wish I knew what was taking my chickens.

 

[TigerLilly]

Sorry to hear about your losses. I started out keeping mine in a run but couldnt think of a good reason not to let them free-range periodically. Now I let them out either when I get home from work in the morning until I get up to do chores & get ready for work, or I let them out when I get up to do chores & put them back in the pen right before I leave for work. Occasionally, I don't let them out at all, depending on the weather & they sit, huddled around the door with longing looks on their faces.

I do have to agree with buckabucka's comment, "When you get your next chickens, you could try confining them to a run and see how it works out. I think if they never go out, they might not know the difference."
Good luck

 

[Rocky Top Chick]

I'm not sure my chickens know the difference. They are usually in a large run, but I do let them out to free range only under supervision. Nine times out of ten they head back to the run after about 15 minutes so I think mine like the run better. Believe me they are very happy birds

 

[RHRanch]

I think if you have a small flock a portable chicken tractor would work for you. There are some you can make out of plastic PVC pipe here are some plans: http://www.pvcplans.com/pvc-pastured-poultry-pen.htm

This is a great option for high predator areas as you move the pen around so they can graze.

 

[Zonoma]

After weighing the options, I decided to go with a run. It isn't palatial but it is large. In the evenings, I go sit outside in a chair right in front of my neighbor's tomatos to 'guard' them while the hens get to come out for a bit.

EDITED TO ADD:

Quote:
Mine do the same thing. They feel safe in their run and seem to like it, despite the lack of grass (I have sand).