free range- woods or lawn?

[buffs only]

My chicks were one week yesterday and are growing so fast that they will be moving to their coop later this week. I was wondering about free ranging- would feeding in the woods be a better place than the lawn? My chickens will have access a good bit of woods ( not to thick ), so when they do start getting out should I try to steer them in one direction or let them feed on their own? How far will they get from their coop if there are no fences to contain them?

Buffs only- Conyers GA

 

[debid]

My folks let the chickens choose and they go where they can get to a shrub or under a deck quickly. They never range farther than ~100' from the coop, never out in the middle of the lawn, and they all vanish when the hawk flies over. Unfortunately, they won't always be fast enough so it's a matter of how much risk you're comfortable with. In one year's time, they've lost one hen to an unknown predator that left no evidence of a struggle (guessing canine).

 

[flowergirl60]

Where ever you decide, you need to be close by and supervise. They are young and vulnerable to predators.

 

[AlienChick]

I made a temporary area for mine out of deer netting next to the house since the coop is not yet finished.

It's got a large grass area and a couple of trees.

They spend the entire day in and around their favorite tree.
It's almost like a miniature forest!

They never wander around the open lawn area.

There are 23 chicks out there and most of them spend ALL their time hanging out in their "forest."

 

[catchthewind]

I have no personal experience to speak of, but my property is almost all forested, with very little to no lawn to speak of. I'm learning all about permaculture and posted a similar question on a permaculture forum. Over there, they told me that chickens were originally forest animals and seem to prefer forested and covered areas to wide-open expanses of land. More diversity in vegetation as well as more cover from predators. I'm hoping they're right, since my chickens will be free ranged or pastured in the woods.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

Mine just LOVE scratching around in leaf litter, looking for bugs and worms. It's their favorite thing in the whole world. They spend hours and hours doing it, every day.

 

[SJensen]

My chickens also prefer to be under trees. However when they're allowed to free range, they can decimate the lawn pretty fast.

 

[pharmchickrnmom]

My chickens freerange the lawn and the woods. I am always, always, always with them as we have lots of hawks and owls around. My lawn looks a little rough as they have been cleaning out all the grubs in it but I will reseed it later and put up a temp fence to keep out the girls. They also love to hunt in the woods and dig in the leaves for goodies. Since I am out with them when they are freeranging, they run to me if they feel there is a threat around and the tractor is too far. I only live on an acre so they dont have far to go. They have learned the boundaries and generally dont cross them. You must decide what works best for you. You will have losses at some point if you freerange without supervision (and even with!). Oh, steering chickens is like nailing jello to a tree. Bribes with goodies works much better!

 

[chicmom]

My property is a little over six acres, mostly wooded. The house is situated towards the front of the woods, and we have made about an acre of this our yard/lawn, with grass and such. My chicken coops are out back, on the lawn part, and the woods surround the property. They go into the woods and forage around, but they always have food in the chicken coop, and water in the run. I leave the run open and they go in and out all day to lay eggs and eat and drink, but at night, I lock things up tight to protect them from predators.

They come home a dusk to their coop, where they grew up and know they'll be safe......I really don't try to direct them to one area or another..lawn or woods...

Hope this helps!

Sharon

 

[flowergirl60]

Quote:

Steering chickens like nailing jello to a tree. Ha luv it so true!