Pasture Idea

[BarredBuff]

Last night I did some supervised free ranging, very sucessful. I had little problems except for the roosters chasing each other. Back to subject, behind the coop there is an opening thats fairly large, with that being said could we use deer netting and some fence posts and let them pasture on it about three days a week, maybe more days? Do you think that would be sucessful?

 

[Kristian]

It deppends on the preditors you have in your area?

 

[chicken boy sam]

I think the chickens would like it! (Mine have to stay in a run because of roads)

 

[PunkinPeep]

What defines "successful" for you?

Mine free range all over about 1 1/2 acres - with no netting or anything like that - just a protective rooster, and i think they're very successful.

So maybe we need more information about what you think could go wrong with your situation.

 

[buc]

It should work, I let mine out when I am out side and during the times I work in the garden.

Tip, I learned to water them at the end of the free ranging session, it helps to get all the girls back where they belong.

 

[IggiMom]

I have lost a few chickens to preditors. However, I do still free range mine, and they like it.

And I like having those nice eggs. And bug control.

Catherine

 

[BarredBuff]

The predators around my area consist of stray dogs, I have two roosters that fight more than they guide/guard.

 

[IggiMom]

I have never really believed that roosters are too good at being guards. I think some of them try, but they are still chickens, and a dog or a raccoon will kill them without much trouble.

That said, during the day, we are relatively free of preditors around here. I lose an occasional one to a hawk and to a fox.

I did have a bad dog incident last year. My husband got me a hand gun afterwards.

Mother Earth News had an article last year about a study they had done which showed how much healthier the eggs from free range hens are. There really is a difference.

So it is worth it to me to occasionally lose one to let them pasture.

I sell eggs to the local health food store. I do not claim that they are organic, but they are free range.

Catherine