Free Ranging...

[huntsman]

From reading this board, it seems that my fears of my dogs and cats killing my flock are misguided at best, and now I'm considering the free range option.

1. Would I need to clip wings? (I live on a fairly busy street) I have banties, Australorps, BO's, Koekoeks...

2. Could I free range them 'part time'? Say, Wednesday, Thursday, Sat & Sunday? Have them in the run for the rest of the time...?

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

I would go for it. I have a boxer and a pom who are both good with the chickens after one day of training. You would not have to clip wings as most chickens stay in the yard and don't wander far at all. Mine have never (except for one) tried to fly over our fence and I can even let them free range for a few hours and put them back in their run if I choose to. All I have to do is call "here chick chick chick" and have a cup of corn ready for them when they get in the run

I have been free ranging for two years and only one time did I lose two to a neighbors dog. I siimply talked with the neighbor and it never happened again. They keep him tied up now. Never any other predator at all. Good luck...they will LOVE it! My theory is that they will be VERY happy outside free ranging if even for a short time or not so happy locked up for a very long time.

 

[ellieroo]

I'm on 3 acres with 550 acres just on the otherside of barbed wire fence. My flock of bantys and SLW have never gone more the 50 feet into the open land and have never crossed the road to see whats on the otherside!

 

[calicokat]

Well, mine used to do pretty well staying in our yard (2 acres) - but this spring they've started going across the street to one neighbor's yard and now another. Gee even the dog is wandering -- I'm afraid it's bad owners, not bad pets

I should recommend that you hang out with them when they are free ranging, just to keep them safe and in your yard. But then, I should probably start practicing what I preach too

 

[7cutechix]

Mine are 11 months old and we live on 7 acres not too far from the road. We have a run for them that I was sure would be fine. Once the weather got nice and everything got green and their run was brown (and I had to get sand to fill the holes they were digging around the fence) I really thought long and hard about letting them out sometimes. I was reading if they are let out a couple hours before sunset they will stay close to the coop. I let them out 3 days ago and they are SOOOOO happy. They ran around, flew around...today it rained a little, they played keep away with worms! I agree, they need to be out in the grass and happy. They need to do what chickens do. If I won't be home, I won't let them out. I was scared too but they need to be chickens.

 

[teach1rusl]

I'm like cutechix...If I'm home I let mine out. If I'm not home, they are in the run (which is roomy and still has grass!!!). So part-time free ranging works fine. Just always be aware of the risks that involves. So would yours have to fly over your fence to have access to the road??? I would definitely want a fence of some kind between my girls and a road.

 

[huntsman]

Thanks for the replies!

I do indeed have a fence between the chooks and the road. It's pre-cast, and 7' high.

I'm actually expecting more problems with my one dog, who killed a chick when she was accidentally let out some weeks back. He's not a vicious dog at all, and it could have been a 'once off', but I wonder if some instinct has now kicked in?

I just worry the dogs might be too rough and hurt the chickens unintentionally?

 

[Annabella]

I personally believe chooks need some protection.
Two of my girls "found" their way to me, whoever their original owner was believed in free range I think and the girls got lost. i don't know where they came from but they managed to survive the busy road we live on, and close neighbours gave them to me as the local "chook" lady.

They dont try and fly the 4' fenced backyard I have, but have flown over my 3' foot patition fence I have to protect them my dog.
My dog has killed one of my girls in his overenthusiasm.

They appear content in the area I have partitioned for them to free range in. Safe from dogs, traffic and other things.

 

[Bantimna]

Quote:
My dogs will hurt my chooks I know that. You could possibily make a yard for the dogs, and let the dogs out once the chooks are finished ranging?

 

[Beekissed]

Or...you could train your pups and chooks to co-exist and the result leads to an easier lifestyle for you and them. It has been done successfully by many folks and it just takes some time and consistency. Afterwards you have a flock that has added protection and the freedom to range.