free ranging question.....

[Hedwig]

I also free range mine but only when we are home and can listen outside or are outside doing whatever. I have 1 acre and my chickens have learned the sound of my basement door opening and will usually come running from that sound. If they are too far away to hear the door i just call chick chick chickens and then they all come flying at me

haha.

I dont have a fence and they havent gone to my neighbors property. Also, i do worry about predators with hawks, coyotes, fishers and once i saw an eagle!

I dont have any problems with dogs but a 4-H friend of mine had 10 bantam hens killed by a Rodesian ridgeback dog before her father was able to chase it out with a shovel.

 

[JennaLynn122]

I also free range mine but only when we are home and can listen outside or are outside doing whatever. I have 1 acre and my chickens have learned the sound of my basement door opening and will usually come running from that sound. If they are too far away to hear the door i just call chick chick chickens and then they all come flying at me

haha.

I dont have a fence and they havent gone to my neighbors property. Also, i do worry about predators with hawks, coyotes, fishers and once i saw an eagle!

I dont have any problems with dogs but a 4-H friend of mine had 10 bantam hens killed by a Rodesian ridgeback dog before her father was able to chase it out with a shovel.

Mine now free range a bit. Not right now because i just planted my garden and need to get the fence up. I solved the dog problem rather quickly. Asked my neighbor to keep the dogs away from my property. When they didn't attempt to, I told them next time its on my property it will be shot in the behind with a bb gun and if it goes after my chickens the 9mm. Never do I see that dog on my property now. They put up an underground fence in a matter of 3 days and actually watch the dogs now.

While I don't want to shoot the dog, I would to save my animals. And I really hate when dogs run loose without being watched. IMO, if you have a dog, or any animal for that matter, It should be taught or made to stay on your property unless traveling with you.