Keeping Chickens Free Range

[vpatt]

I looked at donrae's page and i also looked up meat processors in my area,lol. I found one pretty close....but i will need to call and see if they do chickens and what they charge. Not sure what the going rate is.

 

[Attila the Hen]

I believe someone told me they were going to pay $5 per bird. I'm a coward, but if I had to pay that and transport them an hour to the butcher I think I'd find out how to do it myself -- IF I could even bring myself to eat one of my friends. Please.....Don't laugh.

 

[TalkALittle]

$5/bird is what the place 45 minutes from me in CT charges.

 

[vpatt]

$5 a bird is high and its not. It is a lot for me to pay. But i would probably want at least that if i was in the business. Yeah, an hour is a long drive....and some gas.

 

[slordaz]

$5/bird is what the place 45 minutes from me in CT charges.

Dang would take ya longer to get it there than the actual processing

 

[tbracken]

I would like to let mine free range but I'm afraid of the hawks flying around etc! I also have 4 guineas that are with my chickens. Should I just keep them in there coop? And if I was to let them out should I cut there wings?

 

[slordaz]

if there are hawks in the area I wouldn't clip wings but thats just my opinion.

none of ours are clipped, and clipping them would make them more vulnerable to predator on the ground , just a thought to consider.

You could get or build a tractor that is movable to help protect them but then they aren't truely free ranged, but better than being cooped up all the time

 

[gander007]

if there are hawks in the area I wouldn't clip wings but thats just my opinion.

none of ours are clipped, and clipping them would make them more vulnerable to predator on the ground , just a thought to consider.

You could get or build a tractor that is movable to help protect them but then they aren't truely free ranged, but better than being cooped up all the time

I have to agree with not clipping the wings as it is the only defense the chickens have even if it is only helping them run faster ......

 

[tbracken]

Thanks! I think for the safety of my chickens I will not let them free range. I'd be afraid something would happen to them.

 

[mossyroo]

I was fine for my first time except for when the chicken squawked at me when I reached in to pull out the entrails.