Free ranging pros and cons?

[missnu01]

I think free ranging Is the way to go. I hatch enough that predation is not an issue and my rooster addiction also helps with that. If I have only one rooster then I have problems...but with 2 or 4 or 7 nobody goes missing.

 

[zion11]

We let ours out just towards the end of the day. If they're out more than about 4 hours, they start getting into mischief, as in hopping the fence and scratching around the neighbor's yards. We live on 2/3 of an acre, so a big enough yard to keep them occupied for those few hours. This way, they do all their egg laying earlier in the day, so all eggs stay in the coop.
After having free-range ducks, I think NOTHING of chicken poop. It's small, and is dry by the next day, I can just kick or sweep it off the patio. Duck poo on the other hand - eww.

I also like them to be out so they can root around in the compost pile. They get all excited when I empty the compost container each day, and they can dig around for buggies and worms whilst adding their own poo contributions

I do have to fortify our gardens. Bigger plants they don't mess with. anything freshly mulched is like a playground for them. We have an orchard area that is mulched, but we are in the process of bordering it with straw bales so they can scratch all around in there, but stop kicking the mulch into the rest of the yard.

 

[SeanaL]

My chickens have been great the last couple of weeks on free range. Now the last couple of days they have decided to leave the yard. Like go up the hill to the neighbors house and put front by the garage. Usually the dog does a great job at keeping them from going out front. How can ib top then from going up the hill without putting up a fence?
Or should I put up a temp chicken wire fence?

I don't want them going up any higher then the big rock on the far left and clothesline pole.

 

[zion11]

A fence or less time outside.

 

[Kazfam]

Do you have a rooster? He will help with corralling the girls.

Other than that you either have to be out there with them - shaking a can of food to bring them back - or you need a fence.

Ours started out in the designated area and then ventured too far. We got a rooster and he helps quite a bit. My son stays out there when they are free ranging - using the food can shake to reel them in when it's time to go back in the coop.

Kind of a pain - but better than letting them wander too far.

 

[SeanaL]

they run off with in 5 minutes of being outside as soon as i turn my back. I have 5 roosters. They are only 10 weeks old (I have to decide which one i want to keep). they used to always be good and stay off the hill. I used to go and spray them with a garden hose to get them out of the garden the still run from the hose. How do people let their birds roam free range all day and not have to worry about them?

 

[Kazfam]

How do people let their birds roam free range all day and not have to worry about them?

They don't. They do worry and often stay out there with them. There are portable poultry fences you can use...designate a different area each day. The romantic notion that one can have chickens lounging around the yard all day is not too accurate.

Your roosters are kind of young - haven't established their authority yet. I understand about 10 chickens/rooster is an ideal rooster to flock ratio.

Our neighbor has 55 acres...her chickens free range, go past the electric fence and get eaten by coyotes.
Gotta watch them and figure out a method that works for you...usually a fence and/or human supervision is required.

 

[Phoenixxx]

My chickens have been great the last couple of weeks on free range. Now the last couple of days they have decided to leave the yard. Like go up the hill to the neighbors house and put front by the garage. Usually the dog does a great job at keeping them from going out front. How can ib top then from going up the hill without putting up a fence?
Or should I put up a temp chicken wire fence?

I don't want them going up any higher then the big rock on the far left and clothesline pole.

 

[Phoenixxx]

Gah, on phone, hella glitchy... Anyway, if u have the time, train them. Mine cross over to the neighbour's once in a while. I just yell, "back in the yard!" And they come back. How: when they go, chase them back to the boundary while saying "back in the yard". It takes some perseveraence, but it works. Luring with bread helps, and then when they start obeying on their own, treat them upon return.

 

[SeanaL]

Gah, on phone, hella glitchy... Anyway, if u have the time, train them. Mine cross over to the neighbour's once in a while. I just yell, "back in the yard!" And they come back. How: when they go, chase them back to the boundary while saying "back in the yard". It takes some perseveraence, but it works. Luring with bread helps, and then when they start obeying on their own, treat them upon return.

When I go up I say back to the house. I think I might get a boundry fence for just the side with the hill. Ill eventually only have one rooster.