If you let your chickens free range, do you still have a run?

[gritsar]

I've been free ranging without a run for two years. Just last week we did put up a fence that surrounds the chicken "area", not to keep the chickens in - they know lots of in and outs - but to keep the *&^%!*&$%! cows out of the area where I have an outside waterer, the chook's oyster shell and keep my other chicken supplies.

Just for the record, cows will eat oyster shell like it's the worlds best treat.

 

[Beekissed]

I free range and do not have a run. My chicken coop has large windows that completely cover the back side of the building and another large window up high on the opposite wall, so when they are contained to the coop for some odd reason, they have plenty of space, light, air until they can get back outside.

 

[jennh]

I have a run that's covered with bird netting. I use the run only when I'm not home.
Otherwise they free range. I have a Dominique, Dorothy, that is just hilarious when she runs when I let her out! She sways from side to side, and looks like she's gonna fall on her beak

Someone said this is because of the placement of their legs on their body. Anybody else notice this?

Jen

 

[Tala]

I don't have a run -- just my fenced in yard. They can stay in the coop once in a while if they have to, coz it's open air it's practically like most people's "run"
I have several tractors if I need to put certain birds up.

 

[bobbi-j]

I've free ranged for years, but am building my first run this year for many of the reasons stated in previous posts. They will free range when I'm home to lock them up at night, but if I'm going to be gone, it will be nice to not have to worry so much about something getting in the coop.

 

[csaws]

Ours were free ranging up until we planted the garden, then they wouldn't stay out of the garden and we are tired of shooing them out, so we are in process of building an 8x16 run for our 18 birds. We have no one near now that we trust to let them in and out when needed if we go on vacation, since the neighbor that did it for us died earlier this year.

 

[RockyPhoenix]

definitely want a run as well!!!

 

[Amberoxy]

Hi, I am new to chickens and currently have 12 chicks living in our dining room. We have not done the coop yet. I'm pretty sure we are going to free range but think we should have a run too. My question is, if we have a run, do we need to let them in and out of the coop at night or can they go in and out of the coop to the run as needed and we just make sure they are in the coop / run area at night? This assumes we build a run that is as predator proof as we can. Thanks!

 

[gryeyes]

Quote:
If you don't have an automatic chicken door, you will have to let them out in the morning, leave that door (commonly called a "pop door") open all day, then close it at night to keep the chickens safe. During the day, they can go in and out at will (and do). If your run is as secure as Fort Knox, then you don't need to close the door for their security, but if something breaches the run.... you'll wish you had closed the chickens in every single night.