Free Ranging

[MrPepers]

I know it is extremely common for people to free range their chickens, but how do you protect them from predators? I can't let my chickens free range because they would all be killed in less than a day do to all of our predators. How do you not loose all your chickens?

 

[rIrs roost]

I know it is extremely common for people to free range their chickens, but how do you protect them from predators? I can't let my chickens free range because they would all be killed in less than a day do to all of our predators. How do you not loose all your chickens?

Most of the predators around here hunt at night so they're locked up tight by then. I do stay out with them as much as I can though. Lost a few to hawks. If I see hawks hanging around I leave them cooped up for a few days. I also have two roos helping.

 

[MrPepers]

There are hawks every day where I live. Not to mention the chickens could roam off and get killed by a dog or run over by a car.

 

[apryl29]

I had a girl who got left out one night (my fault for not counting them), & a coyote got her. I haven't really free ranged since. I do try to let them out for an hour or 2 in the evening, but I don't let them stay out unsupervised anymore. They all get locked up at night and have a recently expanded covered run.

 

[rIrs roost]

There are hawks every day where I live. Not to mention the chickens could roam off and get killed by a dog or run over by a car.

I see hawks everyday but they usually don't hang around long thank God. I'm probably 1/4 mile off of the road so I don't have that problem. Mine have 70 acres that they could use but they never go no more than 125 yard radius. Some people up from us live right on the hwy. You know it's funny but I've never seen them in the road or acrossed it. They stay about 3 feet off the road. Never seen a dead one in the anywhere come to think of it. I'd be scared too even though I've never saw one in the road.

 

[Nupe]

Most of my predator issues also come after dark so they are locked up at night. I also have shrubs and trees around the coop so they have plenty of places to duck away from hawks.

I have had issues with neighborhood dogs which I won't hesitate to triple S. I was hesitant before until I found out the last pack of roaming dogs had rabies. You can't have roaming dogs in the country and it's 100% the owner's fault for allowing it. Not only did he get bit and have to undergo the not so pleasant treatment but all his dogs were put down by the county and he was fined for each one. All 3 tested positive.

 

[MrPepers]

I see hawks everyday but they usually don't hang around long thank God. I'm probably 1/4 mile off of the road so I don't have that problem. Mine have 70 acres that they could use but they never go no more than 125 yard radius. Some people up from us live right on the hwy. You know it's funny but I've never seen them in the road or acrossed it. They stay about 3 feet off the road. Never seen a dead one in the anywhere come to think of it. I'd be scared too even though I've never saw one in the road.

Hawks like to hunt animals on my property. Just last week I sow one fly out of a bush with a squealing bird. Irresponsible dog owners live near me and I lost the one rooster that ever lasted free ranging. I absolutely hate dogs.