Keeping Chickens Free Range

[kit carson]

@alibaba Around front I have 2 trees and a row of hedges, not to mention my flower bed *grumble*, where my year olds spend most of their time. There is a tree out back that I've been attempting to grow for several years that's still only about a foot high. My brother, who is the genius behind this coop, and I were discussing fast growing trees that I could plant close simply for shade if nothing else but didn't come up with anything while he was here. Any good suggestions? My yard, unfortunately, came with NO trees whatsoever 13 years ago when we moved in. I now have 2 decent sized trees in front and 3 not so big in back and the other side. Maybe I'll transplant my rose of sharon or forsythia as they are attempting to overrun my parking spot.

 

[kit carson]

Large shrubs are good for chicken cover - you could go to your local nursery and find some (mulberries for instance) that would make good forage for them and you too! I have come to the point where if I going to plant something and take care of it, it's going to be something edible.

 

[lazy gardener]

Agreed with Kit! I don't know how fast they grow, but I've planted some Siberian Pea shrubs, elderberry, high bush cranberry, June berry, hazelbert. There are plenty more options. IMO, shrubby plants may give them safe cover sooner than most trees would. You'll need to put fencing around them for the first year until they get established. In the mean time, you can give them safety shelter by setting a couple of pallets up on cinder blocks. Not attractive, for sure... but better a ugly yard than dead chickens. You could even put some plant pots on top of those pallets... to make it look intentional!

 

[WthrLady]

I went out to watch the sunrise and caught on of my girls doing the walk of shame. It was 39 degrees out and she had frost on her back. She must have missed the pop door last night.

darn near choked on my eggs and toast!

 

[beginnergirl]

For cover for chickens, Hazel nut shrubs will grow 15' in one season once established. They have multiple trunks about an inch in diameter and grow quite wide too so provide nice cover. Easy to shape too. The shrub can be used as firewood as it grows so fast and has lovely catkins in Spring that birds love. Blue elderberry can reach 20' in three years.

My girls did not bother my new shrubs and I did not protect them. But I only have three. The girls do love areas of my yard with cover, a blessing as we have hawks here. We have also lots of Mediterranean bay which is an evergreen shrub. Smells lovely and can be used in cooking. Just planted high bush cranberry, Douglas spirea, twinberry, Indian plum and rhododendron.

I may leave a tree in my yard which appears to be dying. The woodpeckers and cedar waxwings love it. Apparently Audubon suggests having some snags. I know not everyone likes wild birds but woodpeckers are not a threat to my chickens. Will see if I can stand looking at it. Every time I decide to cut it down, Ibe seen some wonderful birds in it. I may plant something under it so if I do remove it the area won't be so bare.

 

[lynnehd]

For cover for chickens, Hazel nut shrubs will grow 15' in one season once established. They have multiple trunks about an inch in diameter and grow quite wide too so provide nice cover. Easy to shape too. The shrub can be used as firewood as it grows so fast and has lovely catkins in Spring that birds love. Blue elderberry can reach 20' in three years.

My girls did not bother my new shrubs and I did not protect them. But I only have three. The girls do love areas of my yard with cover, a blessing as we have hawks here. We have also lots of Mediterranean bay which is an evergreen shrub. Smells lovely and can be used in cooking. Just planted high bush cranberry, Douglas spirea, twinberry, Indian plum and rhododendron.

I may leave a tree in my yard which appears to be dying. The woodpeckers and cedar waxwings love it. Apparently Audubon suggests having some snags. I know not everyone likes wild birds but woodpeckers are not a threat to my chickens. Will see if I can stand looking at it. Every time I decide to cut it down, Ibe seen some wonderful birds in it. I may plant something under it so if I do remove it the area won't be so bare.

Nice information! We have a ridiculous number of hawks too, I see one nearly every day. The crows are on constant watch!

Yes, wild birds do like snags. How about growing a vine up the dead tree, at least Spring to Fall?

 

[blkjak]

So sometimes luck is actually on my side. My black EE hen went missing saturday. Could not find her but my great dane has learned how to jump her 7 foot fenced run, so I though the dog may have scared her and she was hiding in the barn. Searched and searched, no luck. Thought we had built the kennel up high enough but no, the dog jumped it again last night. And the dog goes right to a brush pile beside the barn. In the middle of the brush is the hen. A little wet, cold and hungry but otherwise just fine. 2 days out in -15 weather. Spent the night in the house, dog doesn't even look at the bird in the house. Luck was on my side this time. It doesn't happen often. It's a Christmas chicken miracle!

 

[lynnehd]

So sometimes luck is actually on my side. My black EE hen went missing saturday. Could not find her but my great dane has learned how to jump her 7 foot fenced run, so I though the dog may have scared her and she was hiding in the barn. Searched and searched, no luck. Thought we had built the kennel up high enough but no, the dog jumped it again last night. And the dog goes right to a brush pile beside the barn. In the middle of the brush is the hen. A little wet, cold and hungry but otherwise just fine. 2 days out in -15 weather. Spent the night in the house, dog doesn't even look at the bird in the house. Luck was on my side this time. It doesn't happen often. It's a Christmas chicken miracle!

I love this story!

 

[Sowerandtheseed]

Best way to get your hens to be more docile is to collect eggs soon after they lay, and not to be timid about collecting their eggs. The more often you do it the less agressive they will become. Be as firm as you can without hurting them. Like all creatures they will adjust.

 

[potterycat]

I'm moving to a house surrounded by woods, all sides, I will be getting my first chickens in a month! The previous owners left a 24 box chicken coop, lucky me! I'm going to start small with 4. How many could I keep with 24 boxes?

I know there are many predators in the area but I want to let the chickens roam during the day. Any thoughts about safety?