March Hatch-Along Thread- Come Hatch With Us!!!!!

[Book]

What do you all think about free range chickens?

I ask because the farm we got the eggs from is mostly free range, very few coops and most chickens of so many different breeds roam free. There are barns and places for them to lay eggs and such. Well over 100 chickens though just roam the farm.

As our chicks will be going back to that farm because we live on a military post and hatch for homeschool projects and experience, I have time to plan. Some day I want to be able to KEEP them. I love the farm and how they have their chickens but I am not sure it is best and not sure it would work in a backyard with a coop and no barn?

 

[Cynthia12]

This is killing me..babies ever where! And pips every where. Congratulations to all that are hatching! Is there anyone that is going into lock down this weekend?
I think I'll be sharing pictures of babies when no one is here.

Pictures of your babies..I'm waiting to see fluffy babies. Patiently.

 

[Cynthia12]

What do you all think about free range chickens?

I ask because the farm we got the eggs from is mostly free range, very few coops and most chickens of so many different breeds roam free. There are barns and places for them to lay eggs and such. Well over 100 chickens though just roam the farm.

As our chicks will be going back to that farm because we live on a military post and hatch for homeschool projects and experience, I have time to plan. Some day I want to be able to KEEP them. I love the farm and how they have their chickens but I am not sure it is best and not sure it would work in a backyard with a coop and no barn?

I free range my little flock. In my back yard. They got out of that winter run for the first time yesterday..and loved it!! Oh, I just have a coop in my back yard..not a barn.

 

[annabell254]

My advice... start expanding your coop... adding on more coops... and multiple run expansions, etc NOW.

You have an incubator. It causes "chicken math" to be an exponential problem. The only solution is add ons & expansions so you'd better hop to it. LOL.

O, how right you are!!! I am already planning and on a waiting list for my next eggs and the eggs after that!!!! Sultans and Coronation Sussex next

.... and peafowl after that

I did prepair for this somewhat hehe as when I had my hubby build my current coop I had him built it for up to 50 chickens and in a design so that I can just keep adding coops on to either side ...pretty much forever

.... and somehow I got myself to stop at 25 chickens last year!!! I think money had something to do with it

my hubby is a carpenter so we get alot of free extra stuff from job sites so all I have to do is motivate him...... like 3 months of convincing and then he does it all in one day.... so even now I am already puching for an 'add-on' the coop

Just like we talked bout .... remember

 

[annabell254]

I free range my little flock. In my back yard. They got out of that winter run for the first time yesterday..and loved it!! Oh, I just have a coop in my back yard..not a barn.

I free range mine as well.. have a coup and they go up at night, and I let them out bright and early.... I have doggy doors and Great Danes that keep the preditors away and they are trainied to love the chickens and lots of bushes so they can hide from hawks (the chickens not the Danes haha)... I have had no losses in almost a year now... but things can always happen... but they are so happy and beautiful walking everywhere I love it

 

[LONDON HENS]

What do you all think about free range chickens?

I ask because the farm we got the eggs from is mostly free range, very few coops and most chickens of so many different breeds roam free. There are barns and places for them to lay eggs and such. Well over 100 chickens though just roam the farm.

As our chicks will be going back to that farm because we live on a military post and hatch for homeschool projects and experience, I have time to plan. Some day I want to be able to KEEP them. I love the farm and how they have their chickens but I am not sure it is best and not sure it would work in a backyard with a coop and no barn?

Free ranging is great, they get loads of healthy food for eggs and health but I think it always important to have a space where they can be secure from predators. I have a wired run connected to my coop which gives them outdoor access and no chance of the fox getting them. When I am at home for the last 2 years we have let them out into the garden to free range keeping an eye on them. If the birds were 100% free range you would have to expect that you would lose some to predators at some point.

 

[Arkansas81]

  What do you all think about free range chickens? 

 I ask because the farm we got the eggs from is mostly free range, very few coops and most chickens of so many different breeds roam free. There are barns and places for them to lay eggs and such. Well over 100 chickens though just roam the farm. 

As our chicks will be going back to that farm because we live on a military post and hatch for homeschool projects and experience, I have time to plan. Some day I want to be able to KEEP them. I love the farm and how they have their chickens but I am not sure it is best and not sure it would work in a backyard with a coop and no barn? 

I free range mine on occasion. Lately I've been letting mine out in late afternoon while im home. There's benefits and drawbacks on both ends. At first the chickens won't go far but when they get braver they can venture quite far. You dnt need a barn for chickens, just a coop enough for them to go in when weather is nasty and a spot for them to lay.

Chickens love being chickens, I think they are happier and healthier. As long as you have their basic needs then you are good to go.

 

[annabell254]

This is killing me..babies ever where! And pips every where. Congratulations to all that are hatching! Is there anyone that is going into lock down this weekend?
I think I'll be sharing pictures of babies when no one is here.

Pictures of your babies..I'm waiting to see fluffy babies. Patiently.

I am going to start mine this weekend.... or is lock-down the last 3 days....sorry Im a newbe to incubator lingo... but I learn fast

 

[TarheelBirdy]

Good luck with your lockdown. Mine is today also in about an hour.
Hope you get a good hatch Tarheelbridy

Thanks, same to you....what are you hatching?

 

[Maah]

What do you all think about free range chickens?

I ask because the farm we got the eggs from is mostly free range, very few coops and most chickens of so many different breeds roam free. There are barns and places for them to lay eggs and such. Well over 100 chickens though just roam the farm.

As our chicks will be going back to that farm because we live on a military post and hatch for homeschool projects and experience, I have time to plan. Some day I want to be able to KEEP them. I love the farm and how they have their chickens but I am not sure it is best and not sure it would work in a backyard with a coop and no barn?

I like free ranging the chickens... but have 2 problems. First, we have a lot of coyotes around here. They know we have the chickens... (we've seen their tracks in the snow leading right up to the coop), but they haven't gotten any. We don't want to encourage them to come around, especially since it will risk our dwarf goats and barn kitties as well... so we keep our chickens in an enclosed run/pen.

Second problem... the chickens found DH's asparagus patch. Everytime we would let the chicken's out to play they would run straight for the asparagus. Sorry chickens... you go up against the man, & you will lose every time. LOL.