Keeping Chickens Free Range

[vpatt]

I have lost two hens the past couple of weeks. During the day time. And one of the little roos.

 

[EmilyP]

We are just starting out, we have 8 chicks almost 3 weeks old and 6 ducks about 2 weeks old and we plan to free range them all. is it "safe" to leave them out (once they are full grown) all day while we are at work (ie unsupervised)? i can come home during lunch (i do now to check on the babies and refill duck water) but that is a bit of a burden everyday for the rest of time Also any suggestions on what kind of dogs get along best with fowl?? I'd love to have something to keep away the many predators we have flying and roaming around (something got a wild turkey the other night out of the tree).

 

[OrganicFarmWife]

We are just starting out, we have 8 chicks almost 3 weeks old and 6 ducks about 2 weeks old and we plan to free range them all. is it "safe" to leave them out (once they are full grown) all day while we are at work (ie unsupervised)? i can come home during lunch (i do now to check on the babies and refill duck water) but that is a bit of a burden everyday for the rest of time Also any suggestions on what kind of dogs get along best with fowl?? I'd love to have something to keep away the many predators we have flying and roaming around (something got a wild turkey the other night out of the tree).

I am home most days, but there are times I am gone days at a time. The birds have someone shut them up at night, but otherwise are completely left to themselves, they do fine.
I have 2 dogs, both mutts, who are great with the birds. They do not really protect the flock (they ignore the flock completely) but they are very good protectors of their territory. I prefer Shepard or farm dogs personally, but you will find everyone has a different experience with every breed and it really just depends on the individual dog and good training.

 

[MountainPea]

Hi everyone, I have a free range question. We got a little flock of 7 hens just ten days ago, they are about 21 weeks old now. Two days ago I let them out for a couple of hours of supervised free ranging. They absolutely loved it! Should I have waited longer to free range? They haven't started laying yet so I'm worried that they don't yet know where they should be laying. Also I've never had chooks before so I'm paranoid that it'll be hard to get them in the coop at night. It wasn't too bad the first day, but it was tricky with a couple of them. My DP has had chooks before and he reassured me that they will get into a pattern soon. He said that eventually they'll probably go in all by themselves and all I'll hav to do is lock the door behind them.

I wasn't able to let them out yesterday because we were out, but I'm thinking of letting them out today...maybe.

We live on an 84 acre farm in Australia, there are some predators here, namely foxes, eagles and the neighbours living 400m away have two dogs that occasionally roam around. Not sure what they're capable of because we are new to the area.

 

[SmColorInDaPan]

Hi everyone, I have a free range question. We got a little flock of 7 hens just ten days ago, they are about 21 weeks old now. Two days ago I let them out for a couple of hours of supervised free ranging. They absolutely loved it! Should I have waited longer to free range? They haven't started laying yet so I'm worried that they don't yet know where they should be laying. Also I've never had chooks before so I'm paranoid that it'll be hard to get them in the coop at night. It wasn't too bad the first day, but it was tricky with a couple of them. My DP has had chooks before and he reassured me that they will get into a pattern soon. He said that eventually they'll probably go in all by themselves and all I'll hav to do is lock the door behind them.

I wasn't able to let them out yesterday because we were out, but I'm thinking of letting them out today...maybe.

We live on an 84 acre farm in Australia, there are some predators here, namely foxes, eagles and the neighbours living 400m away have two dogs that occasionally roam around. Not sure what they're capable of because we are new to the area.

MP: I live on 20 acres in Montana, US. I Let my chicks out, they were about 5 weeks old, last week. They did fine. It was warm enough for them, so when sun went behind Mtn, they lined up, ready for the Warmth of home..

An old farmer's trick is to keep them locked in until they lay, Then let them out, that way, they know WHERE to lay. Otherwise You may be doing some hiking, looking for eggs.
My newest chicks, I left outside for a few hours however, I'm not sure they're able to fly high enough to get out of the way of a fast 'snatching' predator. I left my dogs out, should they catch the scent of something lurking. May not chase after a predator but will Definitely let me know something is out there, close..
Cars, porches, places for them to hide under are wonderful discouragement for Airborne predators. When I scooped up pine needles for my chicks, it was quickly OBVIOUS, there were bugs along for the ride, chicks made quick work of them! Why, I think, they love to free range. SNACKS!
Welcome to the site, enjoy browsing....

 

[MountainPea]

  MP: I live on 20 acres in Montana, US. I Let my chicks out, they were about 5 weeks old, last week. They did fine. I have limited area, warm enough for them, so when sun went behind Mtn, they lined up at the back door...      An old farmer's trick is to keep them locked in until they lay, Then let them out, that way, they know WHERE to lay. Otherwise You may be doing some hiking, looking for eggs.  
   My newest chicks, I left outside for a few hours however, I'm not sure they're able to fly high enough to get out of the way of a fast 'snatching' predator. I left my dogs out, should they catch the scent of something lurking. May not chase after predator but will Definitely let me know something is out there..            
       Cars, porches, places for them to hide under are wonderful discouragement for Airborne predators.      When I scooped up pine needles for my chicks, it was quickly OBVIOUS, there were bugs along for the ride, chicks made quick work of them! Why, I think, they love to free range. SNACKS!
  Welcome to the site, enjoy browsing....

Thanks for the quick reply I feel bad that I gave them a taste of the outside of the coop and then will possibly keep them in there until they lay. I wish they would hurry up and start laying!

 

[MountainPea]

I caved...have let them out. My 4 year old daughter is out with them. It's a beautiful sunny day here, they look so happy

 

[katatonic123]

Thanks for the quick reply I feel bad that I gave them a taste of the outside of the coop and then will possibly keep them in there until they lay. I wish they would hurry up and start laying!

I think (correct me if I'm wrong) keeping them in until they lay means once they start don't let them out in the morning until they've all laid their eggs. This may mean just afternoon/evening ranging if you aren't there during the day to let them out. Mine get range time from the time my hubby gets home from work until dark and then all day when I'm home on weekends or in the summer.

 

[MountainPea]

I think (correct me if I'm wrong) keeping them in until they lay means once they start don't let them out in the morning until they've all laid their eggs. This may mean just afternoon/evening ranging if you aren't there during the day to let them out. Mine get range time from the time my hubby gets home from work until dark and then all day when I'm home on weekends or in the summer.

Ohh, ok that makes more sense! I misinterpreted what was meant. All good. Well, they're outside now and happily foraging around.
It's a bit cute, but if I go in the house, when I come back out again they all rush over to me. They obviously know that I'm their mama now! Very cute how they follow me around

 

[MountainPea]

Our girls have it pretty good here!