Free ranging, how safe is it?

[dacjohns]

Quote:
I have heard the same thing, usually in reference to deer hunting. I have also heard that it isn't really so. Deer hunters saying they urinate regularly from and around their stands with no noticable effect. Urine is urine some folks say but canines and other critters do use it to mark their territory.


As to free ranging. The fed's definition is pretty loose. All the birds need is access to the outside. Not at all what the majority, if not all, of the folks here think of as free ranging. Do I have a definition? Not really, just a romantic idea that I haven't quantified yet. I'm thinking at least an acre for 10 birds or less.

Elderoo made some very good points, not the least are the comments on managing.

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
Depending on the source, I've read as much as an entire acre for EACH bird would be needed to raise them completely on a free-range scheme.

That would be NO supplemental feed from you - strictly what they can find by foraging.

Chickens, it seems, are rapacious feeders and will deplete a range of edibles in a relatively short time.

10 birds per acre sounds like a luxurious extravagance to most people, until they realize what they are dealing with. With that sort of density, you would at least ensure the lands ability to absorb their droppings and scratching.

 

[speckledhen]

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Let me ask, Cyn, is anyone in your vicinity preying on the predators themselves with poisoning, trapping/dispatch and/or hunting?

I dont think so, David. In fact, my stupid neighbor is putting food out for the raccoons and I'm sure she's drawing more than just coons. We did encourage the fox to abandon her den, however, other than that, we've never killed or trapped any predators here. Doubt the neighbors have.

 

[Davaroo]

In fact, my stupid neighbor is putting food out for the raccoons and I'm sure she's drawing more than just coons. We did encourage the fox to abandon her den, however, other than that, we've never killed or trapped any predators here. Doubt the neighbors have.

So we know then what the foxes are eating! Better buy her some cheap cat food next time youre in town.

The Force be with you, Cyn. I hope you won't need it.​

 

[speckledhen]

Thanks, buddy.

 

[Mark]

This has been a very informative thread. I want to thank everyone who has posted.

I visited because a hawk has started frequenting our skies. Turkey vultures are very common around here, but this is the first hawk to be regularly sighted.

We have 17 free ranging hens on 6 acres. We have a lot of trees and the hens are under-cover all day with the exception of early morning and just before dark. During these time, they spread out across the yard like grazing cattle. We have two dogs that like hanging out with the chickens and probably provide some protection.

DW hopes the hawk will stick to the rabbits.

 

[SewingDiva]

Quote:
I have a feeling this will be our challenge as well - we live not too far from you and close to Great Blue Hill, so hawks are plentiful.

But I was thinking of a temporary Quonset-hut run made from that white plastic tubing used by plumbers, covered with deer netting. The theory is to set it up in the yard and move it around every day or so in warm weather. The girls would still go into their regular coop+run at night. It would break down so I could store it over the winter.

Is this a crazy idea?

~Phyllis

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
I have a feeling this will be our challenge as well - we live not too far from you and close to Great Blue Hill, so hawks are plentiful.

But I was thinking of a temporary Quonset-hut run made from that white plastic tubing used by plumbers, covered with deer netting. The theory is to set it up in the yard and move it around every day or so in warm weather. The girls would still go into their regular coop+run at night. It would break down so I could store it over the winter.

Is this a crazy idea?

~Phyllis

Good idea against hawks, Phyllis. GOod idea all around. ]Now add this dimenson. Move the run to an area you wish to garden in and let the birds spend 3 months there. Add clippings, fine leaves, compost - most any sort of fine mulch to the run during this time. When winter comes, take it down and store it. Add a final layer of leaves and then just leave it.
When spring rolls around, youll have a predigested, manured and composted bed to plant in.

 

[BantyHugger]

Ours are fine. Course i live in TX and anything willing to move in the heat is applauded. If they are standard chickens hawks generally can't carry them. Also if they know where home is they automatically put themselves to bed.

I'd check out what day time predators are in your area. A few watched hours sounds safe to me.

 

[DDRanch]

I think it depends on your chicken breeds and where you live. I free-range (which means to me they can get out of the coop and pen and run around) only WHEN I am home. Because I work at home, they have a lot of free-range time and I can see and hear them from several locations in my house.

I keep the bigger breeds because we do have resident red tailed and red shouldered hawks in our area so keeping bantams, for me, and letting them free range would not be something I would do.

There are foxes, coyotes, racoons, opossums and skunks but I am in the country not the wilderness so sightings are few. And not during the day....at least not that I know of. Having said all of this, I am well aware that it is possible a stray dog could get in my property could take out my flock before I could react quickly enough from the house. And I suppose a bigger hawk than the ones I know about could swoop down and take a bird.

So, my girls are out most days, they have their routine and depending on the time of day, I know where they are. I placed 2 redwood dog houses (small structures) some 20 feet from the coop and provided other "hiding places" for them to use in the event of an attack from above. (I learned this from silkiechicken on BYC)

All in all, they love being out and about and actually will put up quite a loud protest if I am late letting them out. But if I lived in a more wilderness area, or had daytime predators, I would have to be out with them. Would cut down on their ranging, but would be safer for them.

Anne