I did a so called free range!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[CindyG]

Mine free range all day, and only twice has a bird (the same one) not come back to the coop at night. She was there in the morning though, waiting patiently by the pop door. I have two coops, and although the birds are out all day together and in and out of both coops they go faithfully to the "right" coop at night (the one they went to right out of the brooder) My dog is a lab/beagle mix and she could not pay less attention to the chickens, she totally ignores them. My outside cat, who hunts ferociously and is always leaving bits and pieces of mice and squirrels (sp) for me on the walkway is in no way interested in the chickens as prey. She loves to lay in their dustbath spots, and on top of the rails of the run, and under their bushes and in and out of the coops but just watches them. Somehow, she has figured out that they are not for her. We are out of the city, but not really country, and although I know there are raccoons and such, so far we have seen no sign of them. Knock on wood.

 

[Ivywoods]

We have several dogs, and it is difficult to overcome some of their natural instincts. Our great pyrenees dogs guard the goats, horses, chickens and us.

Our boston terrier, boxer and chihuahua pay no attention to any of the other animals. Our german wirehair points every bird on the place, and that includes chickens.

Our dachshund CAN NOT be trusted around the chickens or any small goats. We have worked and worked with him trying to get him broke of this, but his brain goes into disconnect when he is on to something.

The day after I built my chicken tractor he chewed up the whole bottom rail trying to get in to the chickens. He will run round and round the pen barking trying to get a at them.

You can't be too cautious if dogs are able to access the area where your chickens free range.

 

[tuesdays chicks]

I love letting mine free range, because we had only built a small run for 2 bird, but ended up with 3 bantam and a bo.last week we built a large run when we found out someone down the road lost 3 hen to a bob cat, and while I was visiting a hawk was trying to get her last 2.and then I got home from work same week to my chicken all standing frozen under the hedge. My dh saw the hawk taking off. We didn't loose any but it was close. I think we're vigilant to start then get lax when the predators don't show, and then we least expect it WHAM.