Free Ranging: Animal happiness vs Risk of Loss

[LizzzyJo]

I have had this topic on my mind recently. I have not had many predation issues **knocks on wood**. I understand that some chicken keepers would lose birds everyday if they were free. BUT - for those of us who have low predation, is free ranging better for chicken happiness than confinement? My chickens are the happiest little free rangers in the world. They get so sad and grumpy when they can't go out and play. Their run is large, but there's no grass. It would be a sad life for them to remain confined. I understand that we may --hopefully very very rarely -- lose a bird when free ranging, but doesn't the happiness of the animal make up for the risk? A human would be safer if kept in their room all day or a dog in a kennel, but we let them out to take the risk. We have wing clipping, fence building, protection dogs, human supervision, letting them out an hour before dusk - we have all of these options - is it best practice for us to try to free range IF we can?

If a chicken keeper can free range with minimal risk - do you all think that it would make for happier birds if they did so? What are the cases against free ranging?

 

[Ginmary]

Indoor Cats, dogs, and young children would be happier if they could leave the house any time they want and roam the neighborhood...…. just sayin'

If a predator does show up, a chicken(s) gets to be eaten alive and their friends get to watch.

Can you let them out for an hour or so supervised?

 

[chickens really]

Well. All it takes is for one predator to discover the flock and predation will be slick and quickly can wipe out a flock depending on what predators find them. I only allow my birds out about 1 hour a day or two hours at most. Mine are happy with the program.

 

[Callender Girl]

LizzieJo, I understand that you want them to be happy. But I would compare it to having toddlers who would like to play in the yard all the time. If you aren't watching, those little ones could run into traffic, and that would be tragic. No happiness for anybody.

I have the benefit of being home most of the time, so my birds are out of the coops and/or runs when I'm home. When I leave, even if it's just to run down the road to a neighbor's, the birds are cooped.

I had no problem with predators for a couple of years -- until one night when a mink killed three of four chickens in a coop where the door wasn't closed. The next day, even though I was home, it took one of my ducks. Cleaning up the remains of my birds is one of the worst things I've had to do, not just because they died horrible deaths but because it was preventable.

In my mind, keeping them safe is the greatest kindness you can do.

 

[red horse ranch]

All my poultry are turned loose in the morning and have been free ranging their entire adult life. In 15 years I have lost 1 chicken to a neighbor's dog and 2 guineas to feral cats. I've had hundreds of birds. All of them are always confined at night. We do have coyotes, foxes, hawks, eagles and many other predators. Maybe I'm just lucky but I think my poultry are happy and healthy. Some of my chickens have lived up to 12 years with plenty of 8 to 10 year old chickens. I can't imagine keeping them confined all the time.

 

[FortCluck]

I let mine be in a 7,000 sq ft free range fenced in area, there is no top on the fencing. The fencing is 8 feet high.

We lost 2 polish just the other day because they roost in trees, we knew that something would end up getting them during the night. They were basically feral chickens that we got from someone, but they never wanted to abide by our rules (to go in the coop at night).

 

[FortCluck]

We have 2 black jersey giant roosters that protect the ladies. They actually chased off a hawk last week. They're brothers and have truly helped our flock, even the ducks that they hate.

The only animal that has complete free range beyond the fence is my muscovy Coco. She flies wherever she pleases. Yesterday she was on the roof of the house.

 

[LizzzyJo]

Indoor Cats, dogs, and young children would be happier if they could leave the house any time they want and roam the neighborhood...…. just sayin'

If a predator does show up, a chicken(s) gets to be eaten alive and their friends get to watch.

Can you let them out for an hour or so supervised?

Yes - I agree that supervised play time is a great idea. I am wondering about the thought that supervised playtime isn't helpful or needed and that confinement is best.

 

[chickens really]

Yes - I agree that supervised play time is a great idea. I am wondering about the thought that supervised playtime isn't helpful or needed and that confinement is best.

Chickens can't tell time so an hour to them could be six hours to a bird. Animals have zero concept of time.
I can't afford to buy, raise and then lose Birds to predators.

 

[BantyChooks]

I have had this topic on my mind recently. I have not had many predation issues **knocks on wood**. I understand that some chicken keepers would lose birds everyday if they were free. BUT - for those of us who have low predation, is free ranging better for chicken happiness than confinement? My chickens are the happiest little free rangers in the world. They get so sad and grumpy when they can't go out and play. Their run is large, but there's no grass. It would be a sad life for them to remain confined. I understand that we may --hopefully very very rarely -- lose a bird when free ranging, but doesn't the happiness of the animal make up for the risk? A human would be safer if kept in their room all day or a dog in a kennel, but we let them out to take the risk. We have wing clipping, fence building, protection dogs, human supervision, letting them out an hour before dusk - we have all of these options - is it best practice for us to try to free range IF we can?

If a chicken keeper can free range with minimal risk - do you all think that it would make for happier birds if they did so? What are the cases against free ranging?

I free range my birds and have for several years. I had to keep them in a run for two years earlier on due to a problem with a neighbour's giant pack of dogs. I think that if predators aren't at a level where attrition would be steady and large, it's a good thing to at least consider free ranging. I rarely lose more than 1--2 birds per year out of my flock of ~50, and those happen due to them sleeping outside without my knowledge. I do keep them penned securely at night.

I consider it to be well worth the risk. My birds are more active, seem healthier, and are less prone to high worm or louse loads than they used to be. Yes, I can keep both of those things under control with certain chemicals, but I'm not a fan unless it's absolutely needed. In my case, their increased quality of life absolutely trumps the safety factors. I understand this may not be an opinion shared by those that keep their birds solely as pets, but my flock is a practical one and the welfare of many outweighs the welfare of a few. In addition, to decrease the risk of losses, I choose breeds well-suited to taking care of themselves. Leghorns, OEGBs, and Chanteclers have been my favourite in this regard. The Chanteclers are a bit fatter and slower, but they are very aware of their surroundings and are among the first to dive for cover when a hawk flies over. If I kept, say, Sultans or Silkies, I imagine my losses would be a lot worse. In addition, keeping a rather large troupe of roosters helps give the hens more time to get themselves to cover, since they station themselves around and through the flock and scan the horizons almost constantly. The ducks and guineas also keep sharp eyes out for trouble.