Newbie

[Txagsw]

Just bought out in Boerne tx and want to get chickens soon as we prepare a place. I want to know what different people refer to as free range. I have read some just let theirs out during the day and brought back in at night, but then I think of the coyotes, and other predators. Others have a fixed closed in area with a coop inside the larger area. Also we are going to chip all our cedar for walk way paths, and have read it should not be used in the coops, like you shouldn't use it for rabbits or cat litter. Thanks for feed back.

 

[GitaBooks]

Welcome to BYC!


Some people say "free range" for a bird not in a cage, but just in a room. Most hobby farmers, however, look at free range meaning there are no fences stopping a bird for foraging where they want. My birds are free range, though they have a fence preventing them from getting to the porch or the road, they can go out into the field as far as they want. However, they prefer to stay around the barns, where they feel safer from hawks.

Chickens can do well in a large, enclosed run, but they certainly enjoy outdoor time, fresh air, warm sun, yummy grass and bugs, dust to bathe in, and being able to see the world, and the larger the run the happier they should be.

Cedar has a strong smell that can be toxic to some animals, particularly smaller animals like rodents.

I hope this helps. Best of luck!

 

[Mrs. K]

I would suggest haveing a coop/run combination in which you can safely confine your flock. You can always let them out, but if a predator starts hanging around, or you want to go somewhere, they can eat, drink, go in and out, without you there.

 

[aart]

I would suggest haveing a coop/run combination in which you can safely confine your flock. You can always let them out, but if a predator starts hanging around, or you want to go somewhere, they can eat, drink, go in and out, without you there.

Ditto Dat^^^^

A run is good idea to have in case you need it.....and eventually you will.