Keeping Chickens Free Range

[beginnergirl]

I haven't had any predators with the exception of coyotes coming around in the early A.M when they are secure in their coop which you can see in the back above the archery target. Coyotes are smart enough not to come around during the daytime.

Coyotes came right up to my previous house at mid day. They had no fear of man or dog.

 

[slordaz]

only time I have found a a dead hen or rooster it was actually the neighbors ferret, which is of the weasle family, that got loose.so it's more likely skunk or weasle. Fox , coyote.cats etc will take the bird with them or eat their meal there and all you will find are feathers.

 

[duluthralphie]

only time I have found a a dead hen or rooster it was actually the neighbors ferret, which is of the weasle family, that got loose.so it's more likely skunk or weasle. Fox , coyote.cats etc will take the bird with them or eat their meal there and all you will find are feathers.

I believe the three S's apply to neighbors ferrets too!

 

[slordaz]

oh I took it to them as after it took out my small flock just for sport it got into the wall of my house some how, used a muskrat trap to catch it and took it to them along with the pictures of my flock. the trap being pulled out of the wall and the bill. they were really mad after that and decided not to get anymore pets when the officer told them if it was out and doing damage I had every right then they lost in small claims court too.

 

[fancychick1]

I know everyone that free ranges their flock has had to do egg hunts when their chickens start laying. I usually walk my yard everyday looking in all the places one of my flock might lay. I have found a couple duck eggs when they started to lay and an occasional egg under my deck but for the most part everyone lays in the coop and they all fuss at each other trying to use the same boxes instead of all the others available. Well today I was in the coop, which is an old shed that has a loft, and I heard pecking up in the loft so I moved all the storage boxes around and there was one of my Easter eggers with eggs everywhere.

There were a total of 30 eggs and a couple broken ones which is what she was pecking at and the reason I found her. She clucked and fussed at me for finding her spot but now I know I will have to crawl around the loft daily to get her egg unless I can figure out how to stop her from laying up there.
Sorry for the long post just wanted to share my morning chicken escapade.

 

[blueyedgurl1]

I am curious as whether any others have noticed that when you find the "hidden" nest, they never lay there again. Every time I have found one, that is the last time my hens will use that spot. Usually, there are at least 17+ eggs in there before we find it. Is there a reason, or is it just my chickens?

 

[blkjak]

I am curious as whether any others have noticed that when you find the "hidden" nest, they never lay there again. Every time I have found one, that is the last time my hens will use that spot. Usually, there are at least 17+ eggs in there before we find it. Is there a reason, or is it just my chickens?

Yes this is true for me. It can be a little frustrating.

 

[TalkALittle]

I wonder if it's because we remove all the eggs. Maybe it triggers some instinct to abandon the nest because predators may have found it. Since chickens can't count, what if you didn't remove all the eggs? Or rather remove them all but put a nice quantity of fake eggs in their place.

 

[artsygirl]

only time I have found a a dead hen or rooster it was actually the neighbors ferret, which is of the weasle family, that got loose.so it's more likely skunk or weasle. Fox , coyote.cats etc will take the bird with them or eat their meal there and all you will find are feathers.

I've never thought of a ferret killing chickens. Mine doesn't leave the house. Never seen a weasel Or skunk around here.

 

[blueyedgurl1]

I had thought of that, but somehow never remember to leave a few! Since someone else thinks this might be the reason, I'll have to try to remember to leave a few.