I love to let mine free-range and they love it too. Unfortunately, I work days so they don't get out until 4:30 and it's dark here by 6pm these days.
One thing I have learned is not to let them be unsupervised for long periods of time. Before I was aware of any predators, I left the yard to bring my DD to my mother's house. I was gone for an hour and three chickens were taken in that hour. I looked everywhere for them and just as I was about done looking and depressed, I glanced into the woods and saw TWO FOXES! Had never seen one, nevermind two! Lesson learned...DH took a shot and thinks he got one of them.
One thing I have learned is not to let them be unsupervised for long periods of time. Before I was aware of any predators, I left the yard to bring my DD to my mother's house. I was gone for an hour and three chickens were taken in that hour. I looked everywhere for them and just as I was about done looking and depressed, I glanced into the woods and saw TWO FOXES! Had never seen one, nevermind two! Lesson learned...DH took a shot and thinks he got one of them.
