Free Range

[Dustoff79]

I plan on free rangeing my chickens on about 3 acres. I have a coop, will have feed/water/oyster shell available in the coop at all times. my question is they will be sharing my pasture with two horses, I have read numerous posts about hay causing impacted crop. when I feed the horses hay and alfalfa, out in the pasture will this be a problem?? my dad told me their chickens were always in the hay barn when he was young and was not a problem. Is the difference that they are not confined in a coop/run but allowed to roam free?

 

[WoodlandWoman]

I think you are right, that it's more of a problem with confined chickens. Look how may hundreds of years chickens have been raised around livestock and hay. Even in confinement, not all chickens have a problem. It's just bad when one does.

We never had a problem when our chickens were pastured with our sheep and they had access to the hay. Actually, they were more interested in picking up any molasses sweetened grain that fell out of the sheep's mouths in the winter, while they were chewing. At least it came with protein, vitamins and minerals, too. Yummy!

 

[WestKnollAmy]

Nope, not a problem.
My chickens are all over the hay bales in the barn and I even put some hay in their nests. They have never really eaten any that I can tell, preferring instead to get out and eat fresh weeds and seeds. Even in the winter.
I have Timothy, alfalfa/orchard and fescue stored in the barn so there is plenty for them to try and eat. No impacted crops here from hay.

 

[Chirpy]

I've only had chickens for a year and a half, but they free range around my horses all the time and I've never had any problems. In fact, one of my chickens favorite places to run to is the horse stall so they can scratch through the poo to find any treasures hidden there!

Also, I have my two goats in the run with my chickens and goats are notorious for wasting hay. If it falls on the ground most won't eat it. My chickens love to scratch through the hay on the ground also.

 

[augiedranch]

i have 25 chickens and i have 9 acres. the chickens share an acre with goats, but can get and do get into the pasture with three horses. so my chickens roam 9 acres with horses, goats and pigeons. they are all extremely healthy. and i dont ever have to muck out the stalls!!

 

[Dustoff79]

Thanks, I did not think it would be a problem, but had to ask the question.