Free Ranging Question.

[Bear1978]

So although my chickens have a fully enclosed 12x12 run and attached coop, I am still curious about the pros and cons of free ranging vs the chicks being confined?

Obviously the chickens are more prone to being attacked by predators or a passing vehicle if the area is close to a busy road.

But, I recently read an article that chickens that are free ranged are more susceptible to catching diseases and getting sick due to them being exposed to more ground that could possibly be contaminated? And that chickens who are in a secured run live longer than chickens who free range?

So I ask, has anyone on this forum done both? Free range and then kept your flock secured in an enclosed coop and run?

If so, have you noticed any differences such as sickness of the birds, longevity, etc. between the two living situations of your fowl?

Although I have an acre yard, its set up is not conducive to free ranging as I am pretty sure my neighbors would NOT want a chicken messing around their house lol, but I so I probably will never free range unless I could ever put up a 6ft privacy fence around my entire yard.

Anyways, just curious as to what others' experiences have been in this? As others, I have always heard free range chickens are happier or what not, but ARE THEY? Hmmm...

 

[neo71665]

If your run is big enough I doubt the bird cares which side of the gate they are on. The whole free range is more in the human's head than in the birds.

Growing up my granny let her birds run but it was because she had well over 100 of them. The only issues she really had was chicken poop on everything and they found the oddest places to nest. It's all fine if you find the eggs and remove them but it invites pests if you don't. Personally I like knowing my girls are safe and where their eggs are.

 

[Bear1978]

If your run is big enough I doubt the bird cares which side of the gate they are on. The whole free range is more in the human's head than in the birds.

Growing up my granny let her birds run but it was because she had well over 100 of them. The only issues she really had was chicken poop on everything and they found the oddest places to nest. It's all fine if you find the eggs and remove them but it invites pests if you don't. Personally I like knowing my girls are safe and where their eggs are.

Very true. I think the idea of 'free ranging' birds appeals to some people more than others because maybe, but not all the time, they think they are doing what is best for the bird? I don't know.. I mean IF I had the land and ability to free range, I might do it, at least part of the time. I am just curious as to IF anyone has actually found there to be any benefits or legit drawbacks to either situation compared to its opposite?

 

[RojoMarz]

Free range gives them access to vegetation and bugs, which are no longer found in their run.

 

[Ridgerunner]

But, I recently read an article that chickens that are free ranged are more susceptible to catching diseases and getting sick due to them being exposed to more ground that could possibly be contaminated?

I'd think the opposite. The less ground they have to poop in the more the poop builds up. Some parasites life cycles involve going through the chicken's digestive track. For many parasites a low level of infection isn't that bad, the chickens can handle it. Wild birds and wild animals often have worms or other parasites. As long as the numbers stay low they can manage well. It's when the numbers get out of hand that they cause problems. They are more likely to get out of hand if the poop load builds up.

And that chickens who are in a secured run live longer than chickens who free range?

True, but why? Because predators are more likely to get them. If it were not for predators I don't think it would be true.

I have not done a valid comparison because one of my main goals is to play with genetics. That means I eat them before they get that old and they get replaced. Even if I did keep them longer it still would not be a valid comparison. Our flocks, management techniques, and conditions are different. We'd get different results.

 

[Bear1978]

But, I recently read an article that chickens that are free ranged are more susceptible to catching diseases and getting sick due to them being exposed to more ground that could possibly be contaminated?

I'd think the opposite. The less ground they have to poop in the more the poop builds up. Some parasites life cycles involve going through the chicken's digestive track. For many parasites a low level of infection isn't that bad, the chickens can handle it. Wild birds and wild animals often have worms or other parasites. As long as the numbers stay low they can manage well. It's when the numbers get out of hand that they cause problems. They are more likely to get out of hand if the poop load builds up.

And that chickens who are in a secured run live longer than chickens who free range?

True, but why? Because predators are more likely to get them. If it were not for predators I don't think it would be true.

I have not done a valid comparison because one of my main goals is to play with genetics. That means I eat them before they get that old and they get replaced. Even if I did keep them longer it still would not be a valid comparison. Our flocks, management techniques, and conditions are different. We'd get different results.

thanks for the reply! Very valid input!

 

[Mrs. K]

I have only had one sick bird in 15 years of chicken keeping. I have lost numerous birds to predators. Numerous.

I think you get better tasting eggs, if they get out once in a while. But you GET eggs if you keep them in and don't feed the wildlife.

It is a toss up and if longer lived birds is what you want, if it works best for you to keep them in, do that. I try and live a little closer to the line.

Mrs K

 

[corriemartin]

How does one judge the happiness of a bird? My chickens are essentially free run during the day, and they seem really happy to me. They peck around in the greenery and eat the seed heads off of grass and get lots of insects, and dust bathe in places I'd never have imagined and have favorite hangouts and sneak into the duck yard and eat the duck food. I can't imagine keeping them locked up all the time. But, as others have said--predators......

 

[Martiva]

Here's my thoughts. I've got 6 Heritage mix hens, the run is 8x16 with attached coop. We have 1/2 acre fully fenced back yard. We found that grass covered run area was soon pecked virtually to the dirt and poop packed even though the run is cleaned regularly. We decided to put a door on the run so they could free range. They love being out !, the grass in the has come back in the run, they scratch around all over and have spots to take their daily dust baths. We lock them up in the run for short periods, they get rather upset and do a lot of pacing along the mesh while squawking a lot. Once you let them have the freedom they want it all the time. We have not experienced any sick birds, diarrhea of any kind, just very happy birds from what their behavior shows. We also don't have any predator issues (so far) they are around though as we do live in the country. The eggs are delicious !. might be rambling, just my experience