Keeping Chickens Free Range

[dipilu2]

...

You only have 3 choices when it comes to hawks:
1: Do not free range, keep them in a covered area.
2: Free range, knowing you may (or will) lose some birds.
3: "Get rid of" the Hawks.....


I have read quite a bit of the "old" chicken keeping books. Years ago it was common to keep flocks separated in "Colony Housing" on pasture. As long as you have enough distance between houses, the flocks will stay separated. ON your 2 acres though???
One thing to consider when allowing flocks that are not normally kept together to interact on small acreage is cock fights...they more than likely will happen! When we let our pure breeds out to range, we have to keep an eye that one cock bird does not wander into another territory.

Regarding hawks, I've seen one big hawk and two youngsters sizing my rabbits and chickens up, and have since taught my peacock to sound the alert when one comes around and I haven't seen one in a couple of months. Last year I caught one in the peacock coop, got a good look at him before he bit me, But i let him go. Anyway, I still free range and haven't lost one to a hawk yet.

 

[vpatt]

Are bears a danger for chickens? I am considering keeping bees and I know that in my area I would need electric fencing to keep the bears out of the beehives. But if they are drawn to the honey do you think they would bother the nearby chickens? Maybe beekeeping is not a good idea.

 

[hennible]

Bears will break into chicken coops...

 

[vpatt]

Bears will break into chicken coops...

Thanks....sigh

 

[bobbi-j]

Thanks....sigh

You can always put electric around your chicken coop, too.

 

[vpatt]

You can always put electric around your chicken coop, too. 

They free range....I would hate to have to pen them up. I spoke to a neighbor down the road who has seen the bears at her hives. She said after she put up electric fencing that a bear even tore into that once.

 

[hennible]

Bears are amazing, amazing animals.

 

[vpatt]

Bears are amazing, amazing animals.

They are bad in our area.....but we haven't had any trouble at our house. I would hate to think I lured them in with honey....but I would love to keep bees....I may have to pass, tho.

 

[hennible]

We have bears too, lots. See them in the yard from time to time but no problems yet.

 

[dipilu2]

Are bears a danger for chickens? I am considering keeping bees and I know that in my area I would need electric fencing to keep the bears out of the beehives. But if they are drawn to the honey do you think they would bother the nearby chickens? Maybe beekeeping is not a good idea.