i feel guilty

[kaybats]

Don't feel guilty. You would feel much worse if something happened to them. Like me. I'm on 10 acres and it took a long time for me to be able to free range my chickens. The barn is about an acre from the road and there are huge open fields on either side of me. The open side of the barn where the coops are faces the back field. My chickens pretty much hang out close to the barn but I would never leave them unattended, even just to run back to the house for something. Just recently I started leaving them for a few minutes here and there and guess what? The other day I went back to the house to make a sandwich and out of nowhere came the horrible sound of screeching chickens in distress!!!!! By the time I got out there, a stray dog (looked like a shepherd mix) had killed my Maryann and wounded Patty and my favorite, Grace. Never again will I leave them alone.

So, again, don't feel guilty. You are doing the right thing for your precious chickens.

 

[downsm75]

Saw a hawk AND a snake in my yard today. No more free ranging freely for my flock

 

[aoxa]

Don't feel bad. I would do the same thing if I had predators to worry about

I bought a Livestock Guardian dog to prevent any predator attacks. I plan to put up a chain link fence that will cost us a fortune as soon as we can.

 

[littlepeeps81]

We have 48 acres, and still have to keep our chickens in a run. We started out free ranging, but were loosing a chicken almost everyday due to fox, coyote, hawks ect. Finally we had to build a coop. I wish they could roam free, but sometimes it is impossible to let them do so unless you are constantly with them. We give them plenty of grass, feed, and toys to keep them happy

 

[ChickenPeep]

I live in the same situation. I have large fences that I use to make a large pen that my chickens, rabbit and guinea pig all hang out in. I have not had any problems so far, but I don't quite have too many dogs running around. My chickens are perfectly happy in thier large pen. Here's a picture of it.