Keeping Chickens Free Range

[chicksurreal]

In my experience you can't allow yourself to feel safe thinking predators will only come out at a certain time. We had a bobcat who killed a total of 4 of our chickens by coming out anytime between noon and 5:00 PM.

I thought they only hunted in the evening or at night, but we caught him coming and going at all times of the day, until someone caught him for good.

When they're hungry, they will do things that are out of character.

 

[chicksurreal]

I started a new thread about hawks in general but I would love to know free ranger advice...what the heck do you do? We had a serious run in with a hawk yesterday. I ONLY have a coop. No run yet. My plan was to only use coop for roosting and free range during day. So far it has worked out well, until yesterday. I need a solution fast as I cannot keep 8 girls in a 4x8 coop. What do you all do about the hawks? We have woods, lots of brush, and they took refuge there, but what else can I do? The owl decoy sure didn't work.

We have hawks here too, lots of them.

I saw a couple yesterday circling very high in the sky. Our older flock (year olds) have learned to stay out of sight while free ranging, but the hawks know they are there and we have 27 ten week old pullets in a very large pen (2500 sf) that has trees in it, but it's partially open, we have strung wire across part of it to discourage diving.

We are very fortunate to have ravens who consider this home and will defend against hawks if they're around, but we don't count on them. I've seen three of them drive hawks away though.

Our main defense when they're out foraging is just watching for the hawks and keeping an eye on where the chickens are at, I know lots of people can't do that because they work outside the home. I'd just give the chickens as many hiding places as possible. Brush and tree cover is good, but I would get a run for them as soon as possible, covered if you can do it for times when you see hawks around and need to make sure they are safe.

My MIL had a hawk fly right in the barn when her chickens ran in there for cover.

 

[heiditam]

Yeah-I am currently researching how to make a cow panel run-quick and easy solution to work on today.

 

[btguy]

Is that a fox?! What time of day was this?! I know we have red foxes, but I am partially comforted that they come out at night.

This was at 3 pm

 

[chickadee5002]

If I let one of my hens raise chicks in the spring the rest of the flock will accept them won't they?

I also wondered........ if one of my pullets is really a rooster then at what age will he begin acting like a rooster?

Thanks!

I've heard that if the hen hatches the eggs and takes her chicks out to range with the rest of the flock very soon after hatching... while her broody hormones are still raging (while she's a beasty b**ch) she will defend the chicks and the rest of the flock will leave them alone. But, if the hen and her chicks are kept segregated for a while, she's not as likely to defend them. The one experience I had with a broody was many years ago. The hen incubated and hatched her clutch of eggs in the coop with the rest of the flock present. She took the chicks out to range with the rest of the flock, and there were never any problems.

I agree Lazy my one and only broody so far I kept with the other hens and she defended her little babies and the adults learned to leave them alone and likewise the chicks get a good lesson with being with the adults. In my situation it was good but I only have 29 chickens someone with more chickens it might not be a good idea. Or even if you have a really mean chicken sometimes even a broody will not defend her chicks when it comes to the top hen being a pain in the rear.

 

[hennible]

I am so sorry! <3 <3 You just never know, it happens. I combined two flocks and it went well. I have one bully hen so I was worried, but we started by only combing during roost time, seperating during day, and it worked. I would lean towards seperating the bullies...
Is that a fox?! What time of day was this?! I know we have red foxes, but I am partially comforted that they come out at night.

I've seen foxes at all times of day....

 

[JackE]

I've seen foxes at all times of day....

X2, I lost 16 chickens in two separate daytime attacks. The fox is a 24/7 threat. Day, night, doesn't matter to them.

 

[hennible]

Yeah
if there are other competing predators out at night they will be out during the day ... they are smart.

 

[jtn42248]

I've seen foxes at all times of day....

Foxes are not an exclusively nocturnal hunter/feeder like some other predators. They will hunt whenever they perceive that it is going to benefit them the most. They are also among the most clever at overcoming any protections you have in place. They can dig, burrow, climb, manipulate locks and latches much like raccoons and seemingly pass through solid walls and fences. They will stalk and attack your flock with you standing there watching as if to say "so, do something already human". Your guard must always be up if you have Foxes around...that and your rifle loaded.

 

[duluthralphie]

I started a new thread about hawks in general but I would love to know free ranger advice...what the heck do you do? We had a serious run in with a hawk yesterday. I ONLY have a coop. No run yet. My plan was to only use coop for roosting and free range during day. So far it has worked out well, until yesterday. I need a solution fast as I cannot keep 8 girls in a 4x8 coop. What do you all do about the hawks? We have woods, lots of brush, and they took refuge there, but what else can I do? The owl decoy sure didn't work.

I wish I only had hawks. My dogs and the ravens/crows in the area keep the hawks at bay. I lost only one or two chicks to a hawk this year. I raised 150 birds so that is not bad.

However, eagles are raising H---E Double hockey sticks with my flock now. I had to build a run for my chickens for protection and to teach my young birds what a nest box is for. However, right now I would not dare let any chicken free range. I came home this morning to find two eagles flying over my coop. I lost a 7 week old turkey to them today. I have lost 5 turkeys to eagles in last month or so. I have lost one guinea fowl and a few chickens. I HATE Eagles!

I know they are the majestic national bird and protected by more laws than most people are, but I still hate them around here. I may have to quit raising chickens if this continues. I love my birds but I cannot afford to feed eagles all year round. I got the birds originally to combat box elder bugs and Asian beetles it worked, but for it to work next year I need them to free range.

I have bird game netting and lots of things for the chicks to hide under, but I am still losing birds.

I told my wife I would shoot the eagle but the fine and jail time would be more than if I shot her. ( a demented joke) There is something wrong when the government restrains us from protecting the life of our flocks....( my country bred and raised opinion)

Rant over and I have tried the cds on wires, dummies, noise makers and none of them work.