I think all chicken owners should.......

[CESOrtega]

Even if you have them locked up in the most secure coop, there is always a possibility that something determined can make its way in. Nature is not that easy to control and there is always a risk, whether you keep them penned up or let them free range. You just have to make a personal choice about your specific situation and do the best you can.

 

[redstars]

Just get one of these and you will have protection!

 

[Sjisty]

I want one! They don't have them at our local feed store.

I also free range my chickens and have been doing so for two years. They get locked up at night. We lost 2-3 chickens in two years. Week before last something moved into the area and since then we have lost nine chickens. They are now in a newly built pen. When I get rid of whatever is preying on them, they will free range again.

One of my guys was taken while I was sitting out there with them - he was there at 4:30 when I went out there and at 5:00 when DH came home he was gone, so whatever got him came out into my yard with me there. I had 30 chickens so did not have an eye on every one, but they were all there at 4:30 eating the treats I had for them during "chicken bonding time." It also took a full-grown dark Brahma roo while DH was working outside in the yard - nothing left but feathers!

 

[poultrypatch]

HEY REDSTARS !!!!
I love your Rambo type chick !
I live right in Rochester ! What a coincidence.
Have 6 RIR and just got 25 new kids that arrived on Thursday...4 diferent breeds. I think, with the help of pics posted on this forum, that I'm able to identify who is who.
You Dartmouth folks have your hands full with all the 4 footed preditors.
Liz
ROCHESTER, MA

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Well, I also think keeping them happy and healthy is part of the bargain. I have always and will always free range. I agree with those who believe that it is healthier for them. I do lock them up in Fort Knox at night, but I prefer a more natural life style. My birds are extremely healthy and the occasional loss to preditors is sad, but I console myself that the bird had a happy time while in my care.

Just my .02.

It's a personal choice and I choose to free range. Does this make me a less caring chicken owner than the person who keeps theirs confined to a run? No. It means I have chosen a different path and there's nothing wrong with that.
Sure, I know I will eventually lose some to predators. I'll mourn their loss, but I won't stop free ranging.

 

[stephhassler]

Mojo Chick'n :

I have to agree with Steph (imagine that

)

meri

thanks meri - that gave me a good laugh

 

[Mojo Chick'n]

Quote:
thanks meri - that gave me a good laugh

no hard feelings

I get a bit.... umm... uptight sometimes, sorry if I got out of hand before. (I blame menopause

)

 

[boaz]

There are probably two camps or schools of thought on BYC. Poultry as pets and/or as a livestock operation; two different approaches to acceptable risk and reward. The numbers seemed to mark the transition for us, the expense and headcount. When we moved to the country a couple of years ago, I mentioned to one of the older ranchers that we were going to free range our chickens. She looked puzzled and asked if there were another way than to let them run and forage during the day, no one around here would understand the term free range.

 

[LegHorn-BusHorn]

Oh, How I wish I could free range. I think it's great, but you do have to deal with losses. Even then, if you don't free range you have to deal with losses. I haven't had any losses, I can't free range. They have a large run and they are Happy Chickens. I enjoy them alot. Everybody has to do what they think is best for their chickens. We all know how the "other kind of chickens live" so just be happy we have made our chickens happy, for their time while they are with us.

 

[lotzahenz]

I also prefer to free-range. I also have lost many to predators over the years, but I had happy, healthy and very productive birds. The one time I penned them all up and kept them that way, we got a resp. problem. Now I have a very large yard around a small orchard and a very secure coop for nights. I let them out of the yard late in the evening, allowing them to free-range alone until it is time to roost. Then I lock them up again. I keep the breeders in isolated runs/coops during breeding season. If I had hatchery chickens, I would just order twice what I want, to cover any losses. I am sad when a bird is lost, but it is part of the life cycle, you mourn and go on. I do understand those who have very small flocks and are very attached to their birds, having them all named and petting them all the time. In that case, keeping them all safe is more important maybe. The loss would be felt more, one reason I don't name most of my birds. Those special chickies need more supervision. Just my thoughts on it. HenZ