free ranging bantams, whats the downside?

[SteveBaz]

just must be mentally aware of the things going on in and around the girls!! and Guy sorry.

 

[slim1986]

Our biggest problem here is raccoons, but we've went searching our property several times since we lost some duck and have relocated or "dealt" with every coon around here. As far hawks go, I will only let them out when I'm home and can watch them. Thanks again for the input and stories!

 

[KenK]

The biggest thing I worry about are dogs and cars. We live way out in the country but our house is fairly close to the road. It was one dirt lane when built but it's now a 55mph paved road.

 

[slim1986]

I live right in the middle of a small little hick town, but my bantams are at my parents house who live down a dirt road off on a private dirt drive with just them and a neighbor. Their coop is about 50 yards off the private drive behind my parents house and some trees

 

[artsy1]

o.k. I have 2 RIR BANTAMS. They roam my side yard all day long.
I have the entire area covered with a huge net, so the hawks won't get them.
Now I have 5 standard size hens, they are 2 months old and I just have started to put them over there also. They are the same size.
The Bantams are so much more well-behaved then the babies. Everytime I turn around the babies are trying to find a way out...they are a pain. Oh yeah the Banties are highest in pecking order, even though they will be much smaller in a week or two.

JUST MAKE SURE EVERY INCH IS SECURE, SO NOTHING CAN GET THEM AND LET """"THEM FREE"""

 

[slim1986]

So I just opened the door of my banties pen and they sat there poking there heads out and I thinking about hopping down then "Lil Mama", my banty hen got gutsy and hopped down, and shortly after "Sergeant" by banty rooster hopped down and they did fine with the guineas and other hens and "Foghorn" our big rooster, so hopefully they can just get out and run around more!

 

[Carrie Lynn]

I think you'd find your banties disappearing in no time.
Hawks, for sure, would take them. Hawk kills aren't always a quick death either.
Better to be penned and safe IMO.

 

[AlienChick]

I free range my bantams with my large chickens. I also have guineas that are free ranging with them.
The guineas sound the LOUD alarm whenever there's any trouble.

I DO know that there is a higher chance that my bantams will get picked off, but I still allow them the freedom to roam with the flock.

None of my chickens roam too far; mostly staying near the pole barn.
I also have lots of trees and shrubs that they stick close to and hide

.

If I had NO trees of any cover at all, I would not allow my chickens to free range.

It's been a year and I've had two chickens (large fowl, not bantams)taken by predators.

ANY TIME you free range a chicken, just know that there's a chance they coud be taken by something.

 

[BlueCamas]

I only let my chickens (who are bantams) free range when I'm home. We do have red tailed hawks, but my backyard has lots of bushes, tall trees and vine maples and they are not as common this time of year. They do have a run that I plan to cover in the spring, but they would much rather be out. The only thing I am worried about would be the chickens flying into a neighbors yard. Both of my neighbors have dogs. Big dogs that will kill chickens. We do have a 7 foot metal fence, but I wouldn't put it past them to try and explore

So I would say, depending on the size of your yard it would be fine to let them free range as long as you are home, have a tall secure chicken proof fence, and have lots of cover. Good luck

 

[TrystInn]

One of the neighborhood cats took off with one of our bantams, so we no longer allow them to free range. The full sized chickens never have any problems, but we've decided its too big of a risk with the bantams.