Keeping Chickens Free Range

[QueenBubbles]

Posting pix:
In the reply section, there are 4 buttons at the top. The 3rd one looks like a mountain and sun (or moon) - that is the picture button. Select it and it will ask questions to lead you thru the process. This is way the mobile version works anyway.

 

[QueenBubbles]

I have also found they feather out a lot sooner than the ones kept inside (judging by pix posted by others).
It is such a joy to see them take their first dust bath - what breed is that you have?

 

[earlyredrooster]

I have also found they feather out a lot sooner than the ones kept inside (judging by pix posted by others).
It is such a joy to see them take their first dust bath - what breed is that you have?

Anconas, Buff Orphingtons, Golden Polish, Golden Laced Wyondottes, Rhode Island's, and six ducks.

 

[chicksurreal]

We free range during the day, in the coop at night. Subscribed!

 

[dancingqueen]

We free range all day in my fenced in yard and then coop at night. Can't say I like the poop on my patio but the girls enjoy the space. Building a larger enclosed run for the winter since we get lots of snow.

 

[ChuskaMtns]

I've always free ranged my birds, didn't realize there was any other way ;-)
At my former home I did lose a few to bobcats & coyotes but my dogs I have now take there job seriously.
Glad this thread was started!

 

[chicksurreal]

I've always free ranged my birds, didn't realize there was any other way ;-)
At my former home I did lose a few to bobcats & coyotes but my dogs I have now take there job seriously.
Glad this thread was started!

We lost two cockerels to bobcats as well. We've made a few changes and haven't lost any more to date (the last few months). We're looking to get a couple of puppies to train for the job of flock guardians, so I'm sure that will help as well.

 

[ChickyChickens]

I LOVE THIS THREAD!!!!!!!!!
We also free range our birds!
We don't feed them much just 2 a week so that they can get full on treats!!!!!!

 

[ShockValue]

This is my first chicken-owning experience. Been free range 100% the whole time since they've been in the coop (about 6 weeks now.) The have about 1.5 acres to roam, and are locked in very tight at night in their coop.

So far we've had no issues...except when they invited themselves into our neighbors basement and pooped all over the place.

He's a very relaxed guy and said it was no big deal. I promised to pay him back in eggs when the time came. We're a little more adamant that we have our temporary fence up between his place and ours now though, as I don't want to make enemies in the neighborhood We're still working on getting a "real" fence for the whole property.

We even survived a dog non-attack. Our terrier-mutt-mix killed 2 of our chicks very early on and we were terrified that he would go after the chickens. He got out thanks to the 3 year old learning how to work the dead-bolted doors, but he paid no attention to the now-larger birds. He did enjoy eating and rolling in their poop though

. Still smells better than when he rolls in the deer pooh at least. We're relieved and pleased that he's OK with the chickens, and as an added bonus, he LOVES to chase raccoons and other intruding animals.

 

[Mah1Mah1]

Hey everyone! I let out my chickens out at 7:00am (any later and they freak out) and lock them away when they go to bed when the sun sets, they don't really like being cooped up. (unintentional pun)