landscaping question

[pattgal]

Is it safe to free range in the woods or in open fields?

 

[panner123]

By safe, do you mean that you would never lose one to a predator? The answer would be no.
I let my chickens free range any where they want to go, but they have plenty of cover to hide under. I lose one every once in awhile, but not as many as some do that only let them out while they sit and watch them. That is a false security, you would be amazed at how fast a predator can come and go.

 

[pattgal]

Quote:
no i just mean is one better than the other.
in the open field you get eagles racoons foxes skunks... at least we do here
in the woods you would probably get pretty much the same predators but is it easier for them to snatch a hen?

Would it be a good idea with a wooded property to fence in (with 1inch chicken wire) a large area to discourage 4 footed predators? and hope the trees would serve as cover for the winged predators?

 

[panner123]

I have pretty much all the same predators here. When they are in the open areas the birds of prey will get them. In the wooded areas they are up for grabs from all the four legged preys. I give them different types of things to hide under in the pasture, wooden boxes, traps and the like. In the woods they have bushes to hide under and around. I don't clip any wings, this gives the chickens a chance to fly up into the trees. No matter what you do. you will lose some to predators. (Fact of Life) All my cats, dogs and critters have names which my grand kids laugh at, when we want a cat called in I yell darn it cat get in here, same goes for the dog, it is darn it dog, goat is darn it goat and ect. The grand kids have names for each one yet they come to me before they will go to the kids. Go figure.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:
no i just mean is one better than the other.
in the open field you get eagles racoons foxes skunks... at least we do here
in the woods you would probably get pretty much the same predators but is it easier for them to snatch a hen?

Would it be a good idea with a wooded property to fence in (with 1inch chicken wire) a large area to discourage 4 footed predators? and hope the trees would serve as cover for the winged predators?

The trees will serve as ROOSTS for winged predators. Yes, some re less likely to search for dinner in the woods, but some are MORE likely to.

Chicken wire is at best a nuisance to a 4-legged predator. Many can tear chicken wire apart. For safety you need heavy gauge welded wire; the smaller the openings, the better.