Keeping Chickens Free Range

[LadyBroody]

Yes, but what I meant was if people let their chickens free range, do they also feed them or do they just let them hunt their own food and not give them feed? I am not clear on the distinctions of the terms in this setting. Am I clear as mud? LOL

I don't think they can ever get enough food by just foraging, so I think it best to give them a little chicken feed as well. I let my chickens roam around the garden sometimes when I'm around and can supervise that the dogs don't get too close. I give them chicken feed in the morning and evening, and they gobble it all up, only leaving a few crumbs.

 

[troy4]

Yes, but what I meant was if people let their chickens free range, do they also feed them or do they just let them hunt their own food and not give them feed? I am not clear on the distinctions of the terms in this setting. Am I clear as mud? LOL

Oh well if we run out of feed we do just let them hunt and then we put them up with scratch

 

[troy4]

In fact any treats go to the chickens always even when they run out of food.We give them lots of treats so they do not die from starving.

 

[cowhlb]

A thread for all those people who keep chickens free range! Post, post, post!!



Rules:

1. No fighting! Everyone has their own opinion about everything.

2. There's nothing wrong with people who keep chickens indoors, and don't allow them to free range. This thread is to encourage those who don't free range their chickens, not drive them away. If you have any questions about converting to free range, you're welcome to ask questions here!

3. Have fun!

We don't free range but they have a pretty huge run. The bad things about me free ranging is that;
1: We have a bird dog. He has been trained not to kill livestock but who knows. There has been a chicken out and he just stared at it.
2: Will they stick together?
3: Will they get into the road? We don't live to close to a road but could they get that far?
4: Will they put themselves up at night as usual?

 

[troy4]

We don't free range but they have a pretty huge run. The bad things about me free ranging is that;
1: We have a bird dog. He has been trained not to kill livestock but who knows. There has been a chicken out and he just stared at it.
2: Will they stick together?
3: Will they get into the road? We don't live to close to a road but could they get that far?
4: Will they put themselves up at night as usual?

Ok first off no getting in road you may have to put them up youselves and They will not all stick together

 

[troy4]

YOURS MAY STICK TOGETHER NOT SURE THOUGH

 

[cowhlb]

Ok first off no getting in road you may have to put them up youselves and They will not all stick together

The road is not to close. I have 10 chickens. (1 roo) Where will they lay their eggs?

 

[troy4]

The road is not to close. I have 10 chickens. (1 roo) Where will they lay their eggs?

Hopefully in the coop.

 

[Sylviaanne]

I don't think they can ever get enough food by just foraging, so I think it best to give them a little chicken feed as well. I let my chickens roam around the garden sometimes when I'm around and can supervise that the dogs don't get too close. I give them chicken feed in the morning and evening, and they gobble it all up, only leaving a few crumbs.

I thought maybe by giving my chickens feed and forage that the feed might give them nutrients that foraging might not. The feed I buy does not say it is medicated in any way. I don't suppose that mean there is no medicines in it but it doesn't say so.

 

[Sylviaanne]

The road is not to close. I have 10 chickens. (1 roo) Where will they lay their eggs?

LOL Any where they want to. Mine do. I am trying to train them to go back in the run at night and to lay in the henhouse but I have 5 week old babies running in the hen house and they can get out through the chickens door anytime they want so I have to keep the run closed during the day.