Keeping Chickens Free Range

[lindalouly]

I have eight girls and one younger roo. They roam free in our back yard. The yard is good sized maybe 1/3 to 1/2 an acre but I realize there is much for them to forage at certain times of the year... They love scratching at my compost pile. When I go outside, they immediately run to me and follow me around. I have two dogs that watch out for them. I still feed them chicken feed and some sunflower seeds. They are happy but sometimes I think they are dogs. I go sit at my table... Both dogs and all 9 birds are laying at my feet. Our little pack!!!! Love them!!!!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

well we found out today that the leghorns are good mousers too lol.

Mine will chase each other all over the place to steal that mouse or dead bird, it is both entertaining and disgusting at the same time, but it does remind you they are descendants of dinosaurs, little velociraptors.

 

[thegoodwinshens]

Free ranging lost 4 of our 6 hens in broad daylight, feathers everywhere

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Sorry, you have coyotes in your area, otherwise hawks, we have a lot of hawks this year but no one has bothered my chickens, I have multiple roosters who are always on the lookout, what do you have left.

 

[thegoodwinshens]

Sorry, you have coyotes in your area, otherwise hawks, we have a lot of hawks this year but no one has bothered my chickens, I have multiple roosters who are always on the lookout, what do you have left.

A RIR and a black Australoph

 

[katatonic123]

Seems to be a lot of that going around. Sorry to hear.

Free ranging lost 4 of our 6 hens in broad daylight, feathers everywhere

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Are they acting terrified, hiding, or do they seem oblivious, what your plans, keeping them penned, once again I'm sorry, been there.

 

[thegoodwinshens]

Are they acting terrified, hiding, or do they seem oblivious, what your plans, keeping them penned, once again I'm sorry, been there.

Yeah they look like they are in shock a little, hubby is out building a pen as we speak

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I know a lot of predators will keep coming back as long as they can get them, so be aware of that.

 

[katatonic123]

My brother's aren't amused with the forced incarceration. They did get some supervised ranging time the other night and he's making plans to build a gargantuan covered run.