Keeping Chickens Free Range

[lazy gardener]

I think your best bet is to look at your coop size and plan your flock according to that. 8 x 8 should give you a capacity for 16 birds. That's the size of my flock. My coop will carry a bigger flock, but I don't think I'd want to. Of course those numbers will go up in the spring and summer as I start chicks and harvest old layers and roosters. But, 12 - 16 is a good winter time number for me. You might want to look into electronet fencing. It can be used during the non snow months. 4 legged beasties will only touch it once!

 

[ChickenLady2014]

Looking for some input from some experienced free rangers. 

I live on 3 acres in Ohio (zone 5). We purchased the property last year and it is very open and I have been planting like crazy. It is currently WAY TOO OPEN to free range, my chickens would be picked off by the neighborhood hawks in seconds but as my trees and shrubs fill in I would like to start free ranging. The final coop will be 8x8. Ideally I would eventually love the property to be fully fenced with a hotwire at the top and bottom (we have some crazy coyotes).

My question is, how many birds per acre is a good number so that they are not crowded, able to forage well and don't turn the yard into a barren wasteland. I am planting many species that will be wonderful food sources (viburnum, winter berry, mulberry, oak, elderberry, hazelnut). I am also trying to get a good mix of summer and winter cover for the birds with evergreens and deciduous plants. 

I have been leaning toward large fowl so that they don't jump the fence into my neighbor's dog's jaws. I was also going to have about 4 or 5 Magpie ducks. 

I'm just trying to get a good idea of a ballpark number - chicken math is hitting me hard and I LOVE hatching eggs. 

So what number do you all find manageable on nice Midwestern property that is green from April to late October. We don't normally keep much of a snow pack, just the month of February (except last winter which was crazy!)

Hi, just stopped in to chat. If you don't mind my 2 cent worth, I would say build as big as a coop as you can afford because chicken math can hit at any time, lol. Sounds like you've got a great plan in place so far.

 

[Autumn Leaves]

Thanks for the responces! So my 3 acres will be fine for 16 birds? I think that may be a good maximum for myself, too many and I would miss out spending time with each one.

I am planning on building my flock a little each year, so that I have younger birds laying as my older ones slow down. It's just me and hubby so we don't need many eggs. We eat just under 24 store bought eggs each week.

The electric netting fence is a good idea until I can get the whole yard fenced and the trees fill in - thanks!

@ChickenLady2014 - I really want to just build a 12X12 coop but I would just be too big for the spot. And . . . to stop arguments about my "pets" my husband and I have agreed that I can spend any money I make working overtime on my pets and a 12X12 coop means more overtime hours than a 8X8. Maybe I should plan the site to one day have two coops. Ah chicken math is striking again!!! I also am going to put a large covered run off the coop so they can be outside when the raptors migrate.

 

[ChickenLady2014]

Thanks for the responces! So my 3 acres will be fine for 16 birds? I think that may be a good maximum for myself, too many and I would miss out spending time with each one. 

I am planning on building my flock a little each year, so that I have younger birds laying as my older ones slow down. It's just me and hubby so we don't need many eggs. We eat just under 24 store bought eggs each week.

The electric netting fence is a good idea until I can get the whole yard fenced and the trees fill in - thanks! 

@ChickenLady2014
 - I really want to just build a 12X12 coop but I would just be too big for the spot. And . . . to stop arguments about my "pets" my husband and I have agreed that I can spend any money I make working overtime on my pets and a 12X12 coop means more overtime hours than a 8X8. Maybe I should plan the site to one day have two coops. Ah chicken math is striking again!!! I also am going to put a large covered run off the coop so they can be outside when the raptors migrate.

Now you're sounding like me, built one coop, 3 months later built coop #2. Hahaa that's chicken math for ya.

 

[Aphrael]

Thanks for the responces! So my 3 acres will be fine for 16 birds? I think that may be a good maximum for myself, too many and I would miss out spending time with each one.

I am planning on building my flock a little each year, so that I have younger birds laying as my older ones slow down. It's just me and hubby so we don't need many eggs. We eat just under 24 store bought eggs each week.

The electric netting fence is a good idea until I can get the whole yard fenced and the trees fill in - thanks!

@ChickenLady2014 - I really want to just build a 12X12 coop but I would just be too big for the spot. And . . . to stop arguments about my "pets" my husband and I have agreed that I can spend any money I make working overtime on my pets and a 12X12 coop means more overtime hours than a 8X8. Maybe I should plan the site to one day have two coops. Ah chicken math is striking again!!! I also am going to put a large covered run off the coop so they can be outside when the raptors migrate.

3 acres will be more than sufficient for 16 birds. You'll find they will still tear something up now and again no matter how much space they have, but they won't eat it bare with so much space. I think when they really dig a spot up, it is because they found something yummy there and they want more.

 

[ChickyChickens]

So, i think we are having less hawks here ever since i put that scarecrow up!!! I cant believe it worked...lol!

 

[chicksurreal]

So, i think we are having less hawks here ever since i put that scarecrow up!!! I cant believe it worked...lol!

Nice!

 

[Tikkijane]

Looking for some input from some experienced free rangers. 

I live on 3 acres in Ohio (zone 5). We purchased the property last year and it is very open and I have been planting like crazy. It is currently WAY TOO OPEN to free range, my chickens would be picked off by the neighborhood hawks in seconds but as my trees and shrubs fill in I would like to start free ranging. The final coop will be 8x8. Ideally I would eventually love the property to be fully fenced with a hotwire at the top and bottom (we have some crazy coyotes).

My question is, how many birds per acre is a good number so that they are not crowded, able to forage well and don't turn the yard into a barren wasteland. I am planting many species that will be wonderful food sources (viburnum, winter berry, mulberry, oak, elderberry, hazelnut). I am also trying to get a good mix of summer and winter cover for the birds with evergreens and deciduous plants. 

I have been leaning toward large fowl so that they don't jump the fence into my neighbor's dog's jaws. I was also going to have about 4 or 5 Magpie ducks. 

I'm just trying to get a good idea of a ballpark number - chicken math is hitting me hard and I LOVE hatching eggs. 

So what number do you all find manageable on nice Midwestern property that is green from April to late October. We don't normally keep much of a snow pack, just the month of February (except last winter which was crazy!)

Large fowl can clear fences just the same. What you want are heavier breeds that would be less inclined.

Ime, any number of chickens will leave you with holes. Fence and then net off any garden area you want to keep them out of. I had a production red that would hop the garden fence repeatedly.

I'd suggest leaving an area in dirt. It will encourage them to use that spot for dust bathing. No guarantees that they won't eventually find other spots, but it's a start.

 

[Tikkijane]

Large fowl can clear fences just the same. What you want are heavier breeds that would be less inclined.

Ime, any number of chickens will leave you with holes. Fence and then net off any garden area you want to keep them out of. I had a production red that would hop the garden fence repeatedly.

I'd suggest leaving an area in dirt. It will encourage them to use that spot for dust bathing. No guarantees that they won't eventually find other spots, but it's a start.

PS- your number depends on what fits in the coop they sleep in. They need housing at night; night predators will make short work of your flock.

 

[Tikkijane]

So, i think we are having less hawks here ever since i put that scarecrow up!!! I cant believe it worked...lol!

I've got bags in trees. Lost a silkie and my only d'Uccle roos this week. The d'Uccle was my buddy; my absolute favorite. And Sylvester was a sweetie, too. They each had a favorite girl who miss them.

First time for hawk loss here. And it was under tree cover, by the corner of the coop, right in front of the grain silos. This is their primary hang out space all year, due to the low branches on the pine trees. Mid afternoon seems to be peak time for predation around here. Ugh.

So we're looking really trashy with plastic bags in the trees and keeping our fingers crossed. Will absolutely move on to scarecrows snd dangling cds if we need to. We are heartbroken.