Opinions on supervised free range?

[Ghosty]

I've had two hawk attacks and lost a little spangled butcher stag on Christmas to a redtail. The second was a chicken hawk, but I was home and heard the birds alarming and got out there right as he swooped in. The girls found cover, which I have a lot of. Neither hawk came back. We are sheltered by woods and it seems to help. I free range all day, every day, and have for a year now. I have been fortunate, and I am home a lot right now. There are predators around, but they seem to prefer to hunt other areas. I see most hawks just circle and fly on. We have owls in the back, but they hunt elsewhere. There are tons of coyotes around, but they don't want to come close to the houses. They have plenty of area of their own, as it is mostly farmland here. I would give them some cover and see how it works for you.

 

[Quailberries]

Update on chicks-

We just moved them into the hardware cloth separated brooder. The 1/2 weeks are pecking around the bottom and trying to get in with the big girls. Older ones seemed interested for 5 or so minutes (poking around barrier too) but are now ignoring them. Good or bad signs? Anything we can do to help? We’re hoping to be fully integrated by Wednesday, fingers crossed!!

 

[MNchickaroo]

Good luck with the mixing!
Do you have a rooster? Ours is always looking at the sky, and we've seen him warn the hen and they head for cover. A hawk will always be quicker than a chicken, but roosters are good for watching out for the ladies. But it sounds like you may live in a more residential area, are roosters allowed??

 

[aart]

Update on chicks-

We just moved them into the hardware cloth separated brooder. The 1/2 weeks are pecking around the bottom and trying to get in with the big girls. Older ones seemed interested for 5 or so minutes (poking around barrier too) but are now ignoring them. Good or bad signs? Anything we can do to help? We’re hoping to be fully integrated by Wednesday, fingers crossed!!

Is the divider easily removed/replaced?
I'd take it out and see what happens...keep the multiple feed and water in place.

ETA: regarding your run...go big, think about winter...solid roof, wind blocks for walls.

 

[Quailberries]

We are not allowed to have a rooster, unfortunately. We’re at max capacity with our four hens.

second chick mix update- we took out the separator and... it’s going great! Our water and feeder stations are pretty big and there doesn’t seem to be any hogging, but we’re keeping the backups in just incase. I’m probably going to stand by for at least another half hour just to make sure we’re in a good place, but this is soo much better than I could’ve ever imagined for a first-ish day. Thank you so much!

 

[azygous]

Glad you took the leap and merged the two groups of chicks. They will have so much fun together and be very amusing. Offer all chicks some chick grit. They will then kit out their gizzards. The next day you will be able to have Fun With Meal Worms. It's better than Sat. Night Live.

Just ration them and don't let the chicks trick you into giving them more than just a few at first. Mine get grit right away, and they had their first meal worm at three days old. Just don't overdo it.

I'm just checking in and not hanging around today. I'll be recovering from gallbladder surgery. Everyone assured me it'd be a walk in the park. They lied.

 

[aart]

Everyone assured me it'd be a walk in the park. They lied.

Hang in there @azygous .... rest a LOT!

 

[Willowspirit]

Well since my chickens won't be safe in a fenced, electrified and covered pen i need to send them to you so they can free range an hour a day.

 

[lutherpug]

Glad you took the leap and merged the two groups of chicks. They will have so much fun together and be very amusing. Offer all chicks some chick grit. They will then kit out their gizzards. The next day you will be able to have Fun With Meal Worms. It's better than Sat. Night Live.

Just ration them and don't let the chicks trick you into giving them more than just a few at first. Mine get grit right away, and they had their first meal worm at three days old. Just don't overdo it.

I'm just checking in and not hanging around today. I'll be recovering from gallbladder surgery. Everyone assured me it'd be a walk in the park. They lied.

I hope you’re on the mend

 

[Quailberries]

Glad you took the leap and merged the two groups of chicks. They will have so much fun together and be very amusing. Offer all chicks some chick grit. They will then kit out their gizzards. The next day you will be able to have Fun With Meal Worms. It's better than Sat. Night Live.

Just ration them and don't let the chicks trick you into giving them more than just a few at first. Mine get grit right away, and they had their first meal worm at three days old. Just don't overdo it.

I'm just checking in and not hanging around today. I'll be recovering from gallbladder surgery. Everyone assured me it'd be a walk in the park. They lied.

We've had our girls on grit for a while now! We've tried mealworms, but they seem to be MUCH more interested in scrambled eggs. Warm eggs, colder eggs, you name it, they'll devour it. We feed in moderation, of course.

The new bonds being made are really fun to watch. Our older RIR seems really obsessed with the new chicks; following them around, watching what they do, letting them squish under her... its really cute!

Good luck with the recovery!