My Flock Journey

[Trux]

Yeah, my goal is for them to free range so ill do my best to try get that to happen but if not ill look at the next option. We have mapped out where we will fence first and then get another lot of chicks. The predators we have are foxes, wild dogs and cats, snakes. So I think we might need a run in the future. But I have loads of friends that successfully free range their chickens. Where we are so ill get some advice too.

Even with fencing around your property, if your going to free range expect losses. The fence will help with the dogs, but fox and cats can jump over those. Not sure about where your at but we have Hawks and the like here so fencing won't help in that case either. A predator proof run is the best option for you while you are away. When your home let them out to explore with supervision.

 

[rjohns39]

What I've done for mine is put out some small shelters in the wide open spaces. 2' tall and 4'X4' with chicken wire on top and the sides with a chicken size door. It gives them a safe space when aerial predators come around. I've also found that my turkeys are a pretty good deterant to the aerial types... Last owl that came by for a chicken dinner became dinner for the turkeys.

 

[SemiQ]

That's great! Hazel sounds like a darling of a chicken, I'm glad that all your chicks are doing OK and that your finally got some rain! As for my flock, they're doing alright all things considered. I just hope the dog doesn't venture in! I'll hopefully be starting my flock thread soon, I just haven't had the time lately.

I was wondering how your going.
My chicks are going really well. We had them out today and Hazel was with them so she is slowly getting usto them. Hazel is amazing with everyone. She lets my nieces pick her up for cuddles too.
Hows your flock going?

 

[KLIL]

That's great! Hazel sounds like a darling of a chicken, I'm glad that all your chicks are doing OK and that your finally got some rain! As for my flock, they're doing alright all things considered. I just hope the dog doesn't venture in! I'll hopefully be starting my flock thread soon, I just haven't had the time lately.

When you start your thread ill follow so make sure to let me know. It was really good to go back on and see whats happened. Im really glad I created it when I first got chickens.
We finally got rain but not as much as we would have liked. But some is better then none.

 

[KLIL]

Even with fencing around your property, if your going to free range expect losses. The fence will help with the dogs, but fox and cats can jump over those. Not sure about where your at but we have Hawks and the like here so fencing won't help in that case either. A predator proof run is the best option for you while you are away. When your home let them out to explore with supervision.

What I've done for mine is put out some small shelters in the wide open spaces. 2' tall and 4'X4' with chicken wire on top and the sides with a chicken size door. It gives them a safe space when aerial predators come around. I've also found that my turkeys are a pretty good deterant to the aerial types... Last owl that came by for a chicken dinner became dinner for the turkeys.

Im going to fence done the side so they cant wonder into the bush too far too. They can abit for shelter but not as far as they can at the moment. At the moment they can go under the house, on the veranda, in this big log we have that they can fit in and theres a garden that they hang out in that is thick so they are cool and protected in there too.

 

[KLIL]

We have this little bird hanging around. Its only a baby. We gave it some seed.

 

[KLIL]

This is my life this morning:
Wake up sick with cold sores on my lips and straight up sick but this make me smile.

Kangaroos in my yard.

I have beautiful chicks. That are growing up so fast!

And Hazel is just amazing as always. She checks on the chicks all day long.

And my Dog Tank just running around like a crazy man.

 

[KLIL]

Please check this out everyone. Would like your opinions. xx

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/female-or-male.1269011/

 

[rjohns39]

I'm horrible about sexing birds... I once put one of my girl turkeys in the bachelor pad until the turkey folks convinced me she was a girl.

BTW, did I mention that I got 14 ducks, 12 barred hollands and 4 Rhode Island Whites out of my last hatch and they went to the brooder last night.. Still have two in the hatcher... Hoping for the best but doubtful. They both shrink wrapped....

 

[KLIL]

I'm horrible about sexing birds... I once put one of my girl turkeys in the bachelor pad until the turkey folks convinced me she was a girl.

BTW, did I mention that I got 14 ducks, 12 barred hollands and 4 Rhode Island Whites out of my last hatch and they went to the brooder last night.. Still have two in the hatcher... Hoping for the best but doubtful. They both shrink wrapped....

Nooo you didn't!! Omg congratulations!!! Can I have photos please???