Free ranging too far?

[Momma*chicken]

I've got 15 chickens, 3 roosters and 12 hens. I used to let them out about an hr or 2 before dusk, now I let them out around 1 pm or so. They used to stay right next to their coop/run, however now they have been wandering into the woods... They don't go that far, but they r out of sight when in the woods. Should I worry about not being able to see them at all times? I DO call them back every so often and reward them with treats, but then they retreat back to woods again. I am a little worried about predators. I haven't seen any foxes in the area since may, but that doesn't mean they won't return. I don't know how to keep them from wandering in the woods. We have a huge backyard that's wide open, are they maybe intimidated by the open space?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Yes, chickens won't stay in open spaces, unless it's pretty overcast in my experience. They like shade but with low brush that creates actual cover verses just a tall tree.

They are probably finding more bugs in the woods.

Domestic dogs are as big of an issue as any other predator... also raccoon, skunk, opossum, hawk, Great horned owl, fox, coyote... and many others.

Put up a fence or use electric poultry netting to contain them... If it's important to you or too much risk. For me the risk does change seasonally and so does my containment practice. Sometimes the birds are on lock down... They and I might not prefer it, but when I know it's life or death... I choose life.

Good luck!

Truth is... people lose bird sometimes EVEN when they are watching. We just aren't fast enough to respond to the threat too often.

Personal choice... even though my pasture is fenced and I make my birds stay in it... I can't see them ALL the time... AND, most predators don't give a crud about my fence... as far as I'm concerned we ARE in the woods (well forest here).

 

[Momma*chicken]

Thanks for the info..... I guess I'll just have to keep checking on them... They have a fenced in run, that has a fenced top as well, but it's only 8 ft by 16ft,so I like to give them some free time as well so they can live to their full potential. They only dog that comes in and out of our yard is old and shows no interest in them. Building a fence is not really an option for us at the moment, so hopefully they will be OK

 

[Mrs. K]

The longer you let them out, the farther they will range, in my experience. However, some roosters like some spots better than others. The current one tends to keep them closer to home, but again, I have not been allowing them out every day.

If you truly want to free range, well, then you are going to feed the wildlife. When I get hit, I go into total lock down for DAYS. Then let them out for a little bit.

I love mine out and about, but I want them to be mine, not some other animals diner. All too frequently they are, to help against that I try these strategies:

• don't let them out on real windy days
• don't let them out on cloudy/foggy days
• don't let them out on a set schedule, same time every day
• Sometimes let them out all day
• sometimes let them out in the afternoon
• sometimes don't let them out at all

These ideas are not perfect, some coyotes refuse to read the list! Have a big enough set up, that if you have to, you can lock them up for several days.

It is a tough call,

MRs K

 

[Momma*chicken]

The longer you let them out, the farther they will range, in my experience. However, some roosters like some spots better than others. The current one tends to keep them closer to home, but again, I have not been allowing them out every day.

If you truly want to free range, well, then you are going to feed the wildlife. When I get hit, I go into total lock down for DAYS. Then let them out for a little bit.

I love mine out and about, but I want them to be mine, not some other animals diner. All too frequently they are, to help against that I try these strategies:

• don't let them out on real windy days
• don't let them out on cloudy/foggy days
• don't let them out on a set schedule, same time every day
• Sometimes let them out all day
• sometimes let them out in the afternoon
• sometimes don't let them out at all

These ideas are not perfect, some coyotes refuse to read the list! Have a big enough set up, that if you have to, you can lock them up for several days.

It is a tough call,

MRs K

My family and I would be completely devastated if anything ever happened to any of them. We love them as much as we love our dog. They aren't just Poultry to us, they r pets. Maybe I will let them out later in the day.... I really would prefer them not to go out into the woods.

 

[New2Chicks97]

Mine used to stay right around the coop too at free range time but much prefer the willow trees and underbrush around the seasonal stream. So that is where they head every time they free range. I have just come to accept that they will be there and out of sight part of the time. They really seem to like the cover and hiding places back in that area.

 

[bobbi-j]

[QUOTE="Momma*chicken, post: 20319166, member: 517351"]My family and I would be completely devastated if anything ever happened to any of them. We love them as much as we love our dog. They aren't just Poultry to us, they r pets. Maybe I will let them out later in the day.... I really would prefer them not to go out into the woods.[/QUOTE]
If that's the case, I would suggest that free ranging is probably not for you. When they free range, it's not a matter of if a predator gets to them, but when. I've read posts here on BYC from people who have been out watching their birds, only to have a hawk or fox grab one right in front of them. If you don't want them to go out in the woods, you'll have to fence it off. Especially since they have already discovered the joys of being out there.

 

[Folly's place]

Predators will happen, as Bobbi says, and it's hard.
Are these young birds, cockerels and pullets? If yes, you may find that three boys are two too many, as they mature. Also, the flock will split into groups, one group with each rooster, which encourages more distance between each group. Is that part of the story?
Chickens are jungle animals, and prefer trees and shrubs to open areas any day!
If you do plan to keep them in 24/7, you will need MUCH more safely enclosed space, and more interesting things for them to do in there.
Many of us do free range our flock, realizing that some losses will occur, but overall, their lives are better for the experience.
Some breeds are more ambitious than others too. There's a balance to be found; Silkies and some others can't fly, or can't see well, or are just more likely to be carried off first.
Some breeds are noted for ranging far, and that might not work for you either.
I like birds who are alert, can fly, and still aren't planning on going really far from home.
Mary

 

[adstowe]

Like bobbi-j said, it doesn't sound like free ranging is for you. You WILL lose birds. It may take a year. It may happen tomorrow. There is just too much risk in free ranging for someone who can't deal with the loss. I'd work on giving them the largest and best run I possibly could and know that they are living a far better life than most chicken get.

 

[Momma*chicken]

Our boys r mille fleur bantams and r pretty full grown... They crow 24/7 and have their hackle and saddle feathers. They r about 15 weeks. And the girls r isa browns and 13 weeks... So far it seems like the boys already have a pecking order, they r brothers