Hey folks - been lurking for a long time. Nice to be a part of the group.
We had chickens in MD from 2015 to 2018 - loved it. All heritage breeds, a flock of about 13. Plus 4 Bronze Turkeys. All fabulous.
Had these guys outside for 3 years on 7 wooded acres (fenced in was about 1.25 acre) - with racoons and foxes and martins and hawks and such all around us. Never lost a one. Every night they'd roost in their coop, every day, we'd let them out and they'd go scratching and bug hunting and doing chicken stuff. We fed them all outside.
We had a barn. We also had pigs and goats and donkeys and Emus in the same communal space. It was heaven.
We moved back to LA - re-homed our guys. And now, we're back. We're in North Florida near Gainesville, bought our dream home on 6 wooded acres, and we're about to move back into our Chicky love fest.
Here's the thing: Most of the coops we're seeing all have enclosed runs. Trying to, but I can't warm to the idea. The best part about our chickens is having them kinda all over the fenced yard. And then at dusk, they form a conga line and head inside.
I'm curious - in Florida, where there is no shortage of raptors and foxes and likely coyotes - just like in Northern Maryland. Our guys can't be at any more risk here, I would think. Wondering - could it have been the Emus that kept the nasties away in MD? They are sentinels and could be very protective over new introductions into the yard. I can't stand the idea of putting my chickens at unnecessary risk, but a half-acre of fenced in back yard we have here sounds much more fun and enriching than a 10 x 20 screened in run for the gals.
Would love to know your thoughts.
Thanks in advance. Love this place!
- Ken
We had chickens in MD from 2015 to 2018 - loved it. All heritage breeds, a flock of about 13. Plus 4 Bronze Turkeys. All fabulous.
Had these guys outside for 3 years on 7 wooded acres (fenced in was about 1.25 acre) - with racoons and foxes and martins and hawks and such all around us. Never lost a one. Every night they'd roost in their coop, every day, we'd let them out and they'd go scratching and bug hunting and doing chicken stuff. We fed them all outside.
We had a barn. We also had pigs and goats and donkeys and Emus in the same communal space. It was heaven.
We moved back to LA - re-homed our guys. And now, we're back. We're in North Florida near Gainesville, bought our dream home on 6 wooded acres, and we're about to move back into our Chicky love fest.
Here's the thing: Most of the coops we're seeing all have enclosed runs. Trying to, but I can't warm to the idea. The best part about our chickens is having them kinda all over the fenced yard. And then at dusk, they form a conga line and head inside.
I'm curious - in Florida, where there is no shortage of raptors and foxes and likely coyotes - just like in Northern Maryland. Our guys can't be at any more risk here, I would think. Wondering - could it have been the Emus that kept the nasties away in MD? They are sentinels and could be very protective over new introductions into the yard. I can't stand the idea of putting my chickens at unnecessary risk, but a half-acre of fenced in back yard we have here sounds much more fun and enriching than a 10 x 20 screened in run for the gals.
Would love to know your thoughts.
Thanks in advance. Love this place!
- Ken
Glad you joined.
