Free Ranging: Animal happiness vs Risk of Loss

[Chris-n-Kate]

Growing up my granparents farm had both. There was a coop/run with hens that we got sent to collect eggs from. There were 2 open barns and a machine shed the rest of the chickens could access but the trees would be full of chickens roosting year round. The cooped up chickens seemed sad and unhealthy, the rest seemed happy and healthy. The idea that predator were probably constantly taking away one here or there, and being replenished with the constant cycle of baby chicks being born, never occurred to me till recently.

 

[BantyChooks]

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.

So sorry for your losses. I lost my ducks to a mink as well several years ago when I had an insecure coop. I know the feeling.

I don't quite think they're comparable to toddlers, at least not mine—it definitely differs by breed, and by location. Is your range area cleared? That'd definitely explain the differences in our respective experiences, since I have heavy woods cover that the birds scatter into and hide at the first whiff of trouble.

 

[Chicken Heel]

I would love to free range my 37 chickens but now reside within town limits. And we have every chicken loving predator in the area as well. I do know that the happiest chickens I ever saw were my Grandpa Shook's games and bantams when I was a young lad. They had the run of the farm and large barn and were something to behold with their little groupings of a rooster with a few hens. And those mother hens with chicks is one of my favorite memories.

 

[SueT]

I free range my chickens, and have lost 1 or 2 a year. I have raised replacements each year. I really love the eggs from grass fed chickens, and so to me it has been worth the risk. The birds are happier, cleaner, healthier.
I have also known 3 people who lost penned-in birds to predators, in which case every bird was killed. They each believed they had a secure set-up, but it wasn't the case. With free ranging the birds have a chance to escape. I have breeds that are suited to free ranging, they are savy, fast, self sufficient. Not all breeds are good for this.
Anyway, those are my 2 cents on the subject....

 

[LizzzyJo]

I free range my chickens, and have lost 1 or 2 a year. I have raised replacements each year. I really love the eggs from grass fed chickens, and so to me it has been worth the risk. The birds are happier, cleaner, healthier.
I have also known 3 people who lost penned-in birds to predators, in which case every bird was killed. They each believed they had a secure set-up, but it wasn't the case. With free ranging the birds have a chance to escape. I have breeds that are suited to free ranging, they are savy, fast, self sufficient. Not all breeds are good for this.
Anyway, those are my 2 cents on the subject....

I haven't even considered the physical health and cleanliness, but many people are bringing this up. I concur that when mine are confined they get dirtier. I'm sure this correlates with illness. When they free range, the dewy grass or rain cleans their feet and feathers.

 

[Perris]

what breeds have you got? the risks and rewards of free ranging vary depending on the breed to a significant extent. Some are more predator aware than others; of course if you let them free range, natural selection will sort them accordingly.

 

[LizzzyJo]

what breeds have you got? the risks and rewards of free ranging vary depending on the breed to a significant extent. Some are more predator aware than others; of course if you let them free range, natural selection will sort them accordingly.

I have orpingtons, a french marans, a wyandotte, and a cream legbar. They seem to do ok, but - as I said, we don't have a lot of predation.

 

[SpaceLamb]

Like other people have said I think all animals would be happier if they were able to go wherever they want. We treat our chickens like we do our dogs and cats, keeping them confined and safe unless they can be supervised. We let our chickens out of their run and into our yard for about two hours every evening when we can watch them. I'd love to have them in the yard all the time but hawks are a big issue for us and with a small backyard flock of only five even a single loss would be heartbreaking.

We do our best to make sure there are things in their run for them to keep themselves busy and entertained until they can be let out into the yard. They seem fairly happy with the arrangement.

 

[Sequel]

I think every situation is different and we want to do the best we can with what we have to work with. I have many predators so complete free ranging would be out of the question.
I do have fenced range area though so they almost always have access to clean forage. I say almost always because in late winter if it’s been really cold there isn’t much left. My goal is to not have more chickens than my grass and weeds can sustain, except for the end of winter when they will still have plenty of leaves etc to happily scratch through.
If I had less land to work with I would do a deep litter run. They seem to be happy as long as they have stuff to scratch through. It’s fun to watch happy chickens!
Having said that, I have a small flock so security trumps all the rest. They have a secure coop and run area around coop and more freedom when I’m home.

 

[Clairemarie1982]

We only have 10 chickens so to us they are our pets. They stay in their run until the children or I go out in the yard to let them out and supervise them. I know we would all be heart broken if something happened to them never mind if one of the children witnessed them be eaten alive. Even on the rare day that they do not come out of the run, we make sure to go visit them and bring them a healthy treat like some fresh veggies or a pumpkin to play around with. I think making sure they have enough room in their run and getting enough outdoor time to forage is important without risking their lives.