Keeping Chickens Free Range

[speeps76]

Hmmm. I'll have to think on that. There is a pond and creek back there that would pose some difficulty. Right now I'm more concerned about the Hawks when they're not in the woods, but I'm sure the coyotes, foxes, etc will be getting hungry come winter.

 

[speeps76]

Maybe I could just keep them in the big garden during winter. That'd be easy enough to reinforce fencing and throw fishing line over.

 

[centrarchid]

Hmmm. I'll have to think on that. There is a pond and creek back there that would pose some difficulty. Right now I'm more concerned about the Hawks when they're not in the woods, but I'm sure the coyotes, foxes, etc will be getting hungry come winter.

Ponds are generally easy to fence around. Streams can be a challenge fence across to contain chickens.

The woods will not provide refuge from Red-tailed Hawk unless it has a dense understory. Great-horned Owl will hunt even that during day if canopy tight enough to shield from sight of hawks.

You are considering the realm I am already well into. Coyotes do not need to wait for winter and same goes for both species of fox.

 

[speeps76]

You've given me some things to think about. I'll have to consider our fencing for sure. We only have barbed wire bordering the property. We've been lucky with ground predators. There are hundreds of acres of woods behind our property, so they have plenty to eat, and generally have kept away from our property during daylight, but food will be more scarce in winter. Of course, we've mentally prepared ourselves for the chance that we will probably lose some. I'll have to get some pics at some point to show where they like to hang out during the day. The creek bank rises steeply and is several feet above the water there. That almost works as a natural fence along the backside of the property. Not that something won't get through, but the chickens would probably have some fair warning. Yes, hawks and owls are certainly a threat. There is quite a bit of thick brush for hiding in, but those owls are so stealthy! All of our songbirds raise a fuss when a hawk comes round, so that gives a bit of warning and distraction. Oh, there are also donkeys on both sides of our property, so that helps cut down a bit on predators coming in from the side.

 

[centrarchid]

Predators simply have not decided to target your flock yet. Your setup as described is too simply to sustain a flock for any length of time. My flock closed where all replacements generated from flock itself. That requires at least some birds being more protected than others. Otherwise it requires replacing a substantial portion of flock each year.

 

[speeps76]

Well, I could keep them locked in the run until I can put up more fencing (doing that alone will be hard for me and take time), but I'd rather them be able to free range even though they're at greater risk. We won't have a dog or more fencing for awhile, so yes, we're taking our chances. My main question is regarding discouraging hawks while free ranging.

 

[lynnehd]

Well, I could keep them locked in the run until I can put up more fencing (doing that alone will be hard for me and take time), but I'd rather them be able to free range even though they're at greater risk. We won't have a dog or more fencing for awhile, so yes, we're taking our chances. My main question is regarding discouraging hawks while free ranging.

At least in your main garden, fishing line across the top should help protect against hawks.
Also planting shrubs (protected from chickens with a ring of wire fencing around the base), fruit trees, etc.

 

[speeps76]

At least in your main garden, fishing line across the top should help protect against hawks.
Also planting shrubs (protected from chickens with a ring of wire fencing around the base), fruit trees, etc.

Thank you. I'm thinking this might be the best solution. The main garden is really big. I'm thinking I can reinforce fencing, string fishing line across and use that for free ranging when I'm not outside. I'll need to do something for extra shade. Maybe they can still roam everywhere on days that we spend outside.

 

[lynnehd]

Thank you. I'm thinking this might be the best solution. The main garden is really big. I'm thinking I can reinforce fencing, string fishing line across and use that for free ranging when I'm not outside. I'll need to do something for extra shade. Maybe they can still roam everywhere on days that we spend outside.

Quick shade ideas:

You could temporarily set up a tent canopy or a sun sail, these should be marked down for end of summer.
I have two reclining chairs in my open area, the chickens often hang out under them.
A picnic table would also work.

 

[speeps76]

Good ideas! Maybe even a big umbrella! They can still get into the shade of their run, but it'd be nice if they had more options.