Is free range safe?

[Ghosty]

Dogs are great, until they aren't... My coop is in my 1 acre fenced backyard. We have coons, coyotes, foxes, hawks, owls, god only knows what else. My coop is fort knox, but no electric fences, etc. I have an attached 24 x 13 ft pen made of chicken wire. I first purchased my chickens years ago with the idea of free ranging all the time too. Had that same dream of chicken with adorable chicks out on the grass!...and wonderful bug eaters. Well, that dream didn't go so well. Hawks rapidly started decimating my silkie flock while they were out of the coop during the day. then we rescued a wonderful, sweet, 2 yr old black Labrador from another family, and I thought, " great, she can help watch the chickens!" So introductions were made, and soft training started. She was great with them as long as we were out there with her and the chickens. turned out she thought they were awesome toys. Several of them were carried around the yard by her until we were able to get them out of her mouth. Needless to say, after several chicken deaths due to her interest, we had to try a stricter approach. It only took one day with an electric collar (like they use to train hunting dogs), and she thought my chickens were satan! She has never touched one again. Even though she is out in the yard with them most of the day, there was an occasion where she was sleeping on the patio while my broody pen with chicks was raided by a coon in the middle of the day. I had left the door open so the rest could free range. Came home to discover a dead hen and missing chicks, and raccoon tracks under the pen. She has also gotten much lazier about keeping them safe from hawks. Unless that hawk lands in the yard while she is out there, I cannot count on her protection. Yes, I have lost several still to hawks, mostly during the months when hawks are moving territories for the winter. I'm in the deep south, so that is fall winter and early spring here. So in summary, dog is great for bigger predators I guess once they are trained, I've never seen a fox or coyote in my fenced backyard at all. But I also learned to keep my birds in the big pen during the cooler months now. They aren't allowed to free range until the summer or unless I'm out there cleaning their coop. I hate it for them. Like you, I have a hard time dealing with the losses.

Silkies are not the breed I would free range with. You need a breed that is suited for that purpose.

 

[EggWalrus]

What pay off AL are you from? I'm not far from Dothan and is hot and humid. Others and I have Pyrs and they do fine here. May have to give them a haircut for summer. Helps keep them cool.

 

[HopeSprings]

I have a Fort Knox coop for the night. In the daytime, my chicken run is fenced in with 6 foot tall 2x4 wire with bird netting on top for Bald Eagles and hawks which I have where I live. My chicken run is not predator proof, but it is predator resistant.

Hardware cloth is expensive, and if you don't have the top enclosed, a predator could just climb over the hardware cloth fence. My daytime concern is from above, which is why I have bird netting on top of the chicken run. At night time, when I would have most of my predator concerns, my girls are locked up tight in their coop. So far, it has worked well for me.

I’m thinking of putting an addition on my run (which is predator proof) by using chicken wire sides and netting overhead. I’ve lost two of the flock to hawks and almost lost a third even after keeping them in until late in the afternoon! (Fortunately, the hawk must have dropped Mamie as it flew over a grove of small trees!) This evening I let them out while I sat outside the run, eating take-out pizza!

 

[HopeSprings]

On hawk and pizza watch!

 

[SurferchickinSB]

We have an acre of land in Alabama and about 3/4 of it is wooded and not being used. The other 1/4 has our little home, shed, vehicles, greenhouse, etc. We also have 2 older (8yo) buff orps in a 200 sq ft enclosure; coop & run.

We want to get about 10 started pullets and my original plan was to build a 1,000 sq ft enclosure (coop & run) with a fenced top as well but now I'm wondering if I should just build a Fort Knox coop and then a topless enclosure (all hardware cloth of course for the sides) that takes up the entire 3/4 of an acre that's unused. I don't plan to cut down any trees, so is it safe?

I'm worried about trees falling onto them or hawks swooping in or other animals getting over the fence. I plan to attach a 1-2' hardware cloth skirt all around and build it about 6 ft tall.
Or should we just stick with the 1,000 sq ft enclosure with a top?

If we get a livestock guard dog, would it be safe to let the hens free range in a topless enclosure as long as they're locked up each night? What if the dog lives inside their enclosure and his dog house is right next to their coop? We're considering a Great Pyr or Maremma Sheepdog if they can handle a hot, humid climate.

Thoughts on all? Thanks!

Well, free range is never safe, aside from the predators they can also get diseases from the wild birds in the area. Free range is not safe, but I think your birds will be a lot happier being able to do that. If I was a chicken, I would rather be happy and free and take my chances, rather than be in an enclosure. Life is too short, so you might as well enjoy it!

 

[gtaus]

I’m thinking of putting an addition on my run (which is predator proof) by using chicken wire sides and netting overhead. I’ve lost two of the flock to hawks and almost lost a third even after keeping them in until late in the afternoon! (Fortunately, the hawk must have dropped Mamie as it flew over a grove of small trees!) This evening I let them out while I sat outside the run, eating take-out pizza!

If you have eagle or hawk concerns, then I think bird netting is a must. I have seen/read others who were watching their flock and a hawk swooped down and snatched a chicken only feet away from the owner. Fortunately bird netting is pretty cheap.

 

[Katies Corner]

We have an acre of land in Alabama and about 3/4 of it is wooded and not being used. The other 1/4 has our little home, shed, vehicles, greenhouse, etc. We also have 2 older (8yo) buff orps in a 200 sq ft enclosure; coop & run.

We want to get about 10 started pullets and my original plan was to build a 1,000 sq ft enclosure (coop & run) with a fenced top as well but now I'm wondering if I should just build a Fort Knox coop and then a topless enclosure (all hardware cloth of course for the sides) that takes up the entire 3/4 of an acre that's unused. I don't plan to cut down any trees, so is it safe?

I'm worried about trees falling onto them or hawks swooping in or other animals getting over the fence. I plan to attach a 1-2' hardware cloth skirt all around and build it about 6 ft tall.
Or should we just stick with the 1,000 sq ft enclosure with a top?

If we get a livestock guard dog, would it be safe to let the hens free range in a topless enclosure as long as they're locked up each night? What if the dog lives inside their enclosure and his dog house is right next to their coop? We're considering a Great Pyr or Maremma Sheepdog if they can handle a hot, humid climate.

Thoughts on all? Thanks!

Hi, we purchased hawk reflector nets. Keeping in mind we have our hens in a fenced area that makes it easier to cover.

 

[ochickadee]

I have this same situation. There is a critter that has totally decimated my flock. My last hen was taken sometime through the night, now all I have is a lonely rooster. I was in the process of building a run which I hadn't closed in yet. So for all intensive purposes we are starting over we 8 chicks, 4 - Calico Princesses and 4 - Sapphire Gems, and it's the first trying to raise some chicks. I'm all for free ranging but not if it means I will lose my birds. I agree you'll have to determine what works for you in your area.

 

[mountainchickens]

I have this same situation. There is a critter that has totally decimated my flock. My last hen was taken sometime through the night, now all I have is a lonely rooster. I was in the process of building a run which I hadn't closed in yet. So for all intensive purposes we are starting over we 8 chicks, 4 - Calico Princesses and 4 - Sapphire Gems, and it's the first trying to raise some chicks. I'm all for free ranging but not if it means I will lose my birds. I agree you'll have to determine what works for you in your area.

I'm sorry

@tfatc , I just wanted to say that whatever you decide on, your setup options sound amazing. Your chickens will be lucky to have you (and your yard!)

 

[woodmort]

I agree there is no such thing as a "safe" free range even a "Ft Knox" coop will, eventually, be breached. Unless you want to stand guard over your birds 24/7 something will eventually get one or two or--in worst case--all. A high fence, guard dog and locating the area far from woods and high grass may help but you pays your money and takes your choice. But, as said above, a free ranged chicken is a happy chicken even if it's life may be shorter than one that is confined. Despite my losses--and in 30+ years there have been many--I prefer they live that way.