leery of letting chickens free-range

[flinthillbillie]

I wish I could free-range more, but I live in a tiny town and although I'm a good was off the main (and only) street, I have 2 neighbors within shouting distance and I wouldn't want my girls wandering into their flower beds. Added to that, one of the neighbors uses Roundup in lieu of a weedeater...need I say more?
Each evening, though, I become "The Chickenherder"! I have my trusty staff with which to gently direct them if they stray too far, and I hang out with the girls while they forage, try out their wings, and banter amongst themselves. It's great fun for them and me, and a rather peaceful way to end the day.

 

[PurpleChicken]

CtlisencedArborist I think I understand your reply and I think you understand my post. Another thing about us CT folks is we can be so sarcastic that sometimes we don't even know it. :> I like to keep my southern friends on their toes. (Uh oh I might get hit for this)

Whatever you do in life there are risks. If you get chickens your gonna experience loss from something or another. This is true with life in general.

As for taxes I think I'm going to declare my chickens as dependants.

 

[ruth]

I know I posted earlier about how you could worry yourself sick over just about anything - but if you could see how much my chickens love to free range I think you'd understand why I take the risk. Though we have a large run 30' x 60' and only 8 chickens I let them free range twice each day if possible - early morning and just before dark. I try to be out there as much as possible. Just got in from our evening walk. I was gone all day so they didn't get let out this morning and they all came running to the gate door when they saw me. You can just hear them yell "yippiieee". I open the gate and they go flying - running, flapping, flying - to their favorite bushes and trees and log piles. They run and chase every insect and look like a bunch of little kids at the playground. Their coop is just outside my bedroom window and I know when they are ready to be let out because they are all literally standing at the gate staring out and pacing back and forth. They look like that Mervyns commercial with the woman with her hands and face against the window saying "open, open, open". And when I open that gate - well it's true joy. With every predator known to man in our woods am I taking a risk - yes. Is their happiness worth it - yes. Is my happiness worth it - yes - I love watching them be chickens. I'm telling you their behavior when out free ranging is nothing like it is when they are in their run and their run has bushes and plants and is under trees and has years worth of natural leaf and mulch build up that they can scratch in. I feed them store-bought human foods like shredded cheese and fresh fruits and veggies twice a day. But, what do they really, really, really like - being let out of that gate. I tell you the truth, if a hawk swooped down and took one out I would be sad but life would go on and I would be on-line ordering a few more before the hawk could finish it's meal. I hope that doesn't sound like I don't love my chicks as much as anyone else, I'm sure I do but I love my kids too and had to let them go out into the world and they can't be replaced. Keeping any animal caged, even for it's own protection, is not natural. I got chickens so that I could walk the woods with them and watch them play and feed and I could destress from life. They destress as well - there is no pecking or fighting amongst themselves like there was before I started letting them out. I know each person has to make this decision for themselves but I tell you honestly, mine actually yell "yippiieee" - something the American Express commercial would call "priceless".

 

[Lunachick]

Mine go about the yard when I'm home. I can go in the house and do 'things' and check out my windows every few minutes and see them doing chicken things and I feel fine about it cause they have so much fun. I have a large canopy of oak trees and such which I believe is good protection, plus I don't ignore them, I'm always watching. When I leave home - I put them in the run and I don't have to worry. They have a 6' cedar fence around the yard for protection also. And my cats are always watching...but they are good cats

And I have loads of Rhododendren that they can dive under, but since I have had them I have had no problems with predators

But I would never take anything for granted and I'm always on the look out. Use your best judgement with your area and what you know prowls your area... After all they depend on you.

 

[ratlummountain]

i've just started to let my 4 girls out to free range, but that's mostly because i haven't built their run yet. while i'm building the run (there's a LOT of digging involved! yay pick ax!) i'm letting them out of the coop to roam around close by. i do keep an eagle eye on them ~ we are backed up to hundreds of acres of wildlife preserve and thousands of acres of MDC land right down the road. i'm definitely predator-phobic but i couldn't imagine being locked in my house for weeks on end ...
eventually the plan is to let them out after we get home for work for a few hours a day.

in the meantime i'm being overly cautious about proofing the run. i just bought out all the hardware cloth at the local tractor supply store, wrapping that around chainlink/dog kennel. plus burying it all a foot and putting a wire roof on.

they are very amusing to watch, if a hawk screams somewhere off in the distance they all duck & run right back to the coop.

taxes in CT? how 'bout the elecrtic bill? sheesh!

 

[bjcoop]

We let ours free range. Yes, we have predators...the most dangerous is the neighbor dog. Fox, hawk, skunk, beagles, and coons are near. But our chicken dog is the best help. They are her chicks, and if they sound the alarm, she is out the door to investigate. She is losing her sight (sad, sad) but her sense of smell is even better than seeing the troublemaker.
The hens seem to depend on her, and wait and watch after she takes off into the woods. Even our roosterboy runs to her. (haha)
It is a joy to watch. The hens, chicks and babies love roaming around. And, we've noticed feed costs are down int he summer. They are excellent in my garden too--japanese beetles are way down this year.

bj

 

[Zenbirder]

Oh Ruth,
Your beautiful post reflects what I feel. Thanks for saying it so well.
PS My firstborn is named Ruth. She is a beautiful young woman now. It was nice that she was always the only one named "Ruth" in any school she attended, and everyone can spell the name.