Keeping Chickens Free Range

[AllynTal]

That is my worry, an eagle sees a rabbit swoops on the running rabbit and sees a chicken standing there gawking so he changes his mind and goes for the chicken. Chickens are slower.

Really? Your chickens stand there gawking when an aerial predator is in the area? I guess some breeds are more predator-savvy than others.

 

[duluthralphie]

Really? Your chickens stand there gawking when an aerial predator is in the area? I guess some breeds are more predator-savvy than others.

The younger ones might, and I might have taken a tad of poetic license with the fact and the way I wrote them...

 

[poodlechicks]

I use bird netting to cover my run.  That protects them from aerial predators and stops even my flyers from getting out when I want/need them to stay in.  You can get a 7ft by 100ft roll for about $15.  You could staple the netting to wooden garden stakes and attach the stakes to the existing fencing to give you the height you're looking for with minimal cost. 

Yes! I posted about using poles and laundry line successfully for chickens, but I also use poles and bird netting in just this manner to keep the chickens OUT of my garden area, for example.  So this would totally work to keep chickens IN their yard.  Very miniimal cost and really effective.  I use nylon zipties or even clothespins to anchor the netting to the fence between the poles (and keeping the bird netting more taught can help prevent unintended songbird deaths because if the netting is loose songbirds can get tangled in it accidentally-- ask my why I know this).  Oh, and, you can use a combination of laundry line strung along the top of the poles with the bird netting  hung over the line, which helps support the netting better. 

I use cattle panels as fencing because they are so flexible and easy to change configurations with.  So I've developed several methods of extending the height of the panels cheaply.

Thank you so much for the info! I'll do the math here and see how I can implement it here. I do have some materials to start with.
These little ones are dying to get out and explore and I can't wait to let them out.

 

[islandgirl82]

Thank you so much for the info! I'll do the math here and see how I can implement it here. I do have some materials to start with.
These little ones are dying to get out and explore and I can't wait to let them out.

@duluthralphie also suggested using game bird netting which is more costly initially but less so in the long run because it doesn't need to be replaced as often. Given you're going to be using it vertically though, the bird netting may last you quite a long time before needing replacement. You can tear it by hand but I was surprised at the effort it does take to do so. I thought it would be quite a bit easier.

 

[poodlechicks]

Thanks for the suggestion,@dulithralphie.
I do use bird netting to keep birds away from my blueberries and it has worked very well. I don't use it to protect my flower beds anymore because it has unfortunately caught a song bird, a chipmunk and a rabbit. The first two I found dead, but I could save the rabbit. They are pesky creatures that eat my lilies, but I don't wish them a slow death trapped in a bird net.
I can see how bird netting w sufficient tension along the posts will work well.

 

[duluthralphie]

Thanks for the suggestion,@dulithralphie.
I do use bird netting to keep birds away from my blueberries and it has worked very well. I don't use it to protect my flower beds anymore because it has unfortunately caught a song bird, a chipmunk and a rabbit. The first two I found dead, but I could save the rabbit. They are pesky creatures that eat my lilies, but I don't wish them a slow death trapped in a bird net.
I can see how bird netting w sufficient tension along the posts will work well.

I think we are talking about two different types of bird netting. I think you use the stuff with 1/2 squares and is fairly light. I use that on tomatoes and plants too.

I meant game bird netting, very heavy with 2 inch square weave.

 

[poodlechicks]

I see. I've never used this one.

 

[Tikkijane]

Nope cats are my number 1 predator too (and they are my cats) I lost most of my first flock of chicks because I let them out to early, I should have kept them protected for another week or two. We got rid of the offending barn cats and started again, wiser. My cats can see the chicks, but I keep them in my "brooder room" (it is a secured room in my barn) until old enough to be without heat. I think my birds were about 7 weeks when I decided to let them out for a few hours, lost all but 3 from that first group. Cats killed them all.
But these are barn/farm cats and much wilder, stronger, then your typical house pet.

3 of mine were born and abandoned in the barn. 6 of them were bottlefed. I bet that makes the difference. Their mama was recently hit in the road, so I doubt we'll get any more from her.

Feral cats I can easily see. I don't have littles out there without mamas; that might help some. But my cats completely leave them alone.

 

[Tikkijane]

3 of mine were born and abandoned in the barn. 6 of them were bottlefed. I bet that makes the difference. Their mama was recently hit in the road, so I doubt we'll get any more from her.

Feral cats I can easily see. I don't have littles out there without mamas; that might help some. But my cats completely leave them alone.

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[Tikkijane]

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