Keeping Chickens Free Range

[dpenning]

Has anyone blocked the nest of choice to see what they would do?

 

[TalkALittle]

I was doing some work in the coop the other day and temporarily removed two of the four nest boxes (the favorite one and the one above it). Every one of my 6 standard hens came in and went to the location and started squawking and pacing back and forth in front of the empty wall. I could almost here them saying, "Who put this wall in front of our favorite nest box!?"

There was still two perfectly good nest boxes still in their original location right next to the spot. I had to shove them into the nests before a couple of them finally got the idea and out of desperation layed in the "inferior" boxes. One of the 8 was so upset by my redecorating that she layed in the run though.

The only ones not upset by the change were the two bantams. They lay later in the day and usually lay in the least used boxes anyway. My broody-prone bantam was thrilled to come in and find that there were eggs in "her" nest box. She was more than content to sit on them and more than a little angry when I finally removed them.

 

[joany1961]

I also free range my little flock. We have a large farm but they really never go to far. Lost one in dec to a fox I am sure ! They are so happy out in the open if I am late going to open the door they sure let me know very vocal !! Lol. They go back to the coop to lay their eggs but they are great for weed control bug and tick control. They even come up to our door and peck the glass. Far to entertaining to keep them cooped up. Pardon the pun. Anyway. I love it they are happier we have 2 roosters so they are well protected. If I am gone to work and no one will be home they have to stay in their enclosure just to be safe

 

[hennible]

A Fox tried to snag one of my girls right in front of me... It had her as I went flying toward the action, the flock exploiding away from the commotion, as my Aussie dog got there first and jumped the fox who dropped the chicken, the fox and dog tumbled and somersaulted and then the fox shot off into the bush with my dogs and I in hot pursute... Me screaming in deep angry voice like an insane women the whole time. My hen is very lucky, no bite wounds at all, just a bald spot... That bleeping fox came back two more times with in hours of the attack, the dogs and I ran after it following further into the bush both times... Have not seen it for a few days now. Aussie dog has really figured out his job sence and stays with the birds now, all day long.

 

[vpatt]

Mine do not like being anything but free, but sometimes "stuff happens" and they have to live with it. I do not have an automatic door so I cannot help you on that, my hen turkeys can get through the chicken doors I have, BUT Bert, my rooster does not fit through them. ( of course he is larger that the turkey hens)

Did he play football in college?

 

[vpatt]

A Fox tried to snag one of my girls right in front of me... It had her as I went flying toward the action, the flock exploiding away from the commotion, as my Aussie dog got there first and jumped the fox who dropped the chicken, the fox and dog tumbled and somersaulted and then the fox shot off into the bush with my dogs and I in hot pursute... Me screaming in deep angry voice like an insane women the whole time. My hen is very lucky, no bite wounds at all, just a bald spot... That bleeping fox came back two more times with in hours of the attack, the dogs and I ran after it following further into the bush both times... Have not seen it for a few days now. Aussie dog has really figured out his job sence and stays with the birds now, all day long.

Good dog! Did you have to train him or does this come naturally? I am wondering about a dog after Big Dog (Jezabel). Would you recommend that breed? I have read bits about different breeds....but not a lot about any particular breed. Any advice anyone? I'm not wanting to take out a loan. ;0(

 

[duluthralphie]

Did he play football in college?

He is currently living in my bathroom recovering from a foot injury, He will be going back to his coop in the next day or too. That picture was taken when I first moved him to the green layers coop after his wives died. He lives with three Dixie rainbows now and is suppose to be making me "toads" a chick with huge legs and thighs and a larger than normal breast. He is a CX (10 months old)

 

[vpatt]

He is currently living in my bathroom recovering from a foot injury, He will be going back to his coop in the next day or too. That picture was taken when I first moved him to the green layers coop after his wives died.    He lives with three Dixie rainbows now and is suppose to be making me "toads"  a chick with huge legs and thighs and a larger than normal breast.  He is a CX (10 months old)

Aren't CX's the ones who have trouble walking? Or do I have them mixed up? What are Rainbows? When you say toads I think of cooking 'toad in a hole' for the grands.

Did I say that I saw a new chick under Jessica just a while ago? Hope she brings them all outside soon.

I hope your roo heals.

 

[duluthralphie]

CX's are the ones people say all kinds of things about, like:

They are dirty
they are lazy
they never live long
they have heart problems
they die easy
they poop alot


The list is nearly endless.

Most of the problems with CXs are human induced, true they have some genetic hurdles to jump, but they are great birds. I raise them very slowly. I limit the feed, I give them very low protein. which allows the bones to develop before they get too heavy to walk.

I force them to free range at an early age. I feed them low protein scratch. I do use some oats with the hulls. I give them grit at about 3 days old.

Most people butcher the cx's at 6-8 weeks getting around 4 pounds, I process mine at 13 weeks and have hens at 8 pounds, and roosters around 11 pounds. They taste great and our super roasted or cut up. I actually like the roasted ones best myself. My daughter in law made one (12 pounds) two weeks ago for her extended family, they all said it was the best chicken they had ever eaten.


A Dixie rainbow, rainbow and I have no idea what other names is a taller large meat bird, I think from the 50s-60s. They are processed at around 19 weeks. I call them toads because and this is lengthy,


I kept Bert (the Cx rooster) and 2 CX hens over winter. I lost the hens in January, I assume I lost the genetics battle. I was going to call their offsprings toads, because on another thread a poster got very upset when I was calling the potential offspring of my CX's, baby CX's. He went on and on about them not being a CX because a CX is a proprietary name and had "special secret parentage" So to not have a stupid online fight I said ok, I will call a CX bred to a CX baby a frog...

When the frog mommy died , I had no choice but to change my plans, I had always wanted a larger thigh and smaller breast so I brought the rainbows in, I figured their babies needed a name and decided they were "cousins" to my original chicks, so they must be toads.


Told you it was long,,,,



Let us know what you get for a chick....
I have lots of nests being hidden and I am letting them go, hopefully some will get broody soon and I can get new June babies!

 

[hennible]

Good dog! Did you have to train him or does this come naturally? I am wondering about a dog after Big Dog (Jezabel). Would you recommend that breed? I have read bits about different breeds....but not a lot about any particular breed. Any advice anyone? I'm not wanting to take out a loan. ;0(

The protective urge is part of the breed, but an Australian Shepard really should have bigger live stock to move about the property, getting him to work with the chickens has taken lots of training... He was guilty of killing a duck when he was a pup, but has sense learned that the birds are to be protected not chased... I should have went with a calmer guardian breed rather than a heard breed, but I don't have the land a breed like the Great Pyrenees needs.... The Aussie suits the family in other ways though.... Ways a larger dog would not have. I'd look for a cross I think, a herd or guardian breed breed with something a bit more mellow mixed in knowing what I do now... I think with training any active, clever breed ( as long as it's not a bird dog ) could learn to care for chooks in time, starting with the dog when young...