How many Chickens can feed themselves on 1/3 acre?

[Spangled]

400 yards is less than 1/4 of a mile.

Oh, duh! I'm changing that in my post above. But I remember it feeling it like a mile when I had to race a 440 ... worst race ever.

But, back to the chickens ... it would have been great if you'd answered my questions: Do your chickens do this? Or where did you find this information? What kind of chickens are you talking about? Jungle Fowl?

I haven't run into the info anywhere that chickens range 400 yards in one direction ... well, except you saying "... a chicken in a true or un-limited [sic] free range situation can be expected to travel 400 yards in every direction...." And you won't even say whether you've seen chickens do this on a regular basis or not.

I can expect my chickens to do this based on what you're saying, but they are not! And they have wooded areas to do it in and they are not! If your conjecture is true, then I am perplexed that my chickens are not ever ranging that far.

If you care to reply, then it will save you time to know that I know what unfettered free range is and have it. Also, I know about Jungle Fowl and their behaviors and lifestyle. You should also know that we do not have anywhere near the predator load you describe in your post--maybe 0.00005% of a predator behind and in every tree or less.

If you pulled your numbers out of the air (as in not based on your experience, experiences of the ancients, or university studies), please say that so that I can stop wondering what is up with my chickens who won't range further than about 100 yards in one direction ... no matter where we place their house each summer.

I'd love to hear from anyone with actual experiences where their own chickens range 400 yards from their coop on a regular basis--even if this is an old thread when you read this.

 

[Mrs. K]

To the original posted question:
It strongly depends on several variables: rain fall, bug population, season and latitude.

In my experience, it also depends on the breed of chickens, and perhaps more so, the breed of the rooster. I had an EE that would cover the country, more so than any other roo I have had so far, and of course his ladies stayed with him. However, I would estimate about 1/4 miles is the farthest they ever got from the coup. Currently, I have two Dominques, which should be good foragers, but really tend to stay close to home. I did not raise them, and have only had them a few months, so perhaps they will move out later this summer.

I do have a predator problem, but that too varies. Sometimes I am hit hard, sometimes I get along quite well. Having a good rooster really does help. Avoiding high wind days also seems to help.

Limit the availability of feed. Measure it carefully when you dole it out. If there is feed left, then cut back, if the pan is slicked clean, add a bit more. Do not leave it out 24/7.

In my experience, from the end of April to the end of July, I have noticed a decided decrease in the feed consumed by my free ranging birds. The days are getting longer, the grass is greener, and the bugs are fresher. However, by August, their consumption begins to go back up on purchased feed. The days are getting shorter, more time in the coup, less time to find food, and the bug protein quality is slipping, and the bugs themselves are starting to thin out. I live in SD, which is far enough north, to have rather long fall to spring time periods, and feed must be given then. One does not want their birds too thin going into winter.

The amount of rainfall each current year will affect both bug population and vegetative growth.

Mrs K

 

[chickengeorgeto]

I thought that I did answer your question. Yes my chickens do have access to a wooded area. At one time 120 acres with further access (on paper company land) to 10s of thousands of acres with very few private homesteads, improved roads, or lots thrown in.

And why do you think that the chicken crossed the road in the first place if it was not to get to better feeding grounds?

I wholly agree on a 440 feeling like a whole mile.

Chickens are all individuals. Different breeds have different foraging abilities with some tasseled breeds being so vision challenged that they are in danger of starvation if forced to find their own chow.

At first I mostly kept broiler crosses, (when I was young my family kept them on pasture, I kept them in houses) I was too bleeping independent to get involved with vertical integrated chicken farming either in the broiler business or the egg business. I processed my own birds and sold them to small area groceries. Then I went to White Leghorn caged layers before finally transiting to games 40 years ago.

Game chickens are the most fun and educational because you can study eachone of them in separate pens without interference or input from the rest of your flock.