Ok, deep breath, letting them free range without supervision...

[crossgirl]

Quote:
I'm firmly in your camp! I'm letting mine free range when I am at home. I know that just being home doesn't ensure their safety but I can't stand for them to be cooped up in their tiny run when I have all this lovely grass and bugs. I fenced the property and secured my gates against the neighbor dogs but if determined, I suppose they could get in. I'm counting on my dogs to alert me should this happen. As for hawks............it's a risk I'm willing to take. I have lots of trees and there is plenty of cover. When I had ducks I didn't lose any to hawks but maybe the geese protected them? Right now they have a tractor but eventually I'll fashion a large run for them to stay in when I'm not home. At night they're safely locked up in their coop. Although I live in the country, I've never had a problem with coons, coyote or possum. I think the dogs keep them away. Or maybe it was those geese. I should get more geese.

 

[Donner]

I have hired these guys to supervise the chickens when they are free ranging, so I don't have to.

They work for food.

We have had pretty much no significant issues with the dogs and chickens. An insignificant issue is that one dog has taken a liking to chicken food, and will sneak into the coop to eat the chicken's food. Another is that the chickens seem to like the dog's kennel area, and the dogs don't like chickens in their kennel, so we make a point to close that door to keep the chickens out.

I am a little worried about the bald eagle I saw a few weeks ago. It could snatch a chicken without anyone being able to intervene.

 

[Chick named Lola]

Here is my only protection:

He's the same height as he chickens! I think the hawks laugh at him trying to be a terrier.....poor Chopper.

 

[rgary44]

I have 2 mature hens left after a raccoon attach this winter, will be adding 6 chicks in late June. I have added 500 sq ft of fenced run with evergreen trees for protection during the day. I've also installed an automatic door closer for the coop/run on a timer, 6 am open 8 pm close that has worked as planned. I throw all my weeding and grass clippings into the fenced run and for a treat I use pigeon food, I think the squirrels enjoy it also, keeps them out of bird feeder. I have a 3 nipple waterer installed, will add 2 more when chicks are introduced into coop/run, babies are using these 2 right now.

 

[mamabahre]

Chopper! So cute.

 

[CKMom]

I let them go. We have a wooded backyard and a large open meadow. The stay out back and are out usually til 6:30 when one of them summons the others into the coop. They have access anytime to the nest boxes and food, so are out and in all day. We also have hawks and fox but so far so good. When they were young I would stay out for a time with them, but now they know what to do , and have lots of places to hide.

 

[fiveducks]

Help I'm new to the site and only a year into the ducks.... I have 3 1 year old Pekins and I have 2 baby runners that r about 1 month when can they start hanging out together? any reccomendations

 

[Mattemma]

I only let my hens free range when I am outside. I have a plastic fence run that they can be in during the day,but our entire yard has a chainlink fence to keep out the dogs .I would recommend a fenced area off the coop for them,and free range when you can be outside.

The loose dogs will be a big issue,and it is very hard to get ahold of a dog when it is chasing your chickens(or anything!)

 

[fiveducks]

Thank you for responding Im not to worried about hawks its the older ducks im not sure how there going to take to them?

 

[mamabahre]

Quote:
it helps to start your own thread instead of just crashing another one...

I was outside earlier and our neighbor went by with her dog so I just casually mentioned how we keep our dog (the two dogs like to play together) tied when the chickens are loose which is why she was tied up, I mentioned how I'd hate to have my chickens killed by my own dog let alone another and just put the word out that t he chickens are out every day.. she actually thanked me so she would know to keep a closer eye on her dog...phew, thank god she was understanding...

I guess it is a risk I am willing to accept because I don't think they should be kept in a pen unless I am out there to supervise. They forage all day coming and going to the coop where food and water are.. I don't want to be out there all day, too much to do. Even when I am out there I am usually on the other side of what is a large yard, me being out there could mean as little as me being inside unless I just followed them around.