Pastured chicken issue...

[cafrhe]

I have my first flock (as an adult) of 10 pullets. My original idea was a mobile coop-built on a small wagon and moveable fencing to give them different ground as necessary. My land has never had chickens on it and we are using the front yard which is grass etc. The house had been empty for over a year, so the yard had been basically a meadow for a while. There is also multiflora rose scrub, trees, poison ivy and other assorted natural foliage. I am using 3' wire fencing with metal posts and make as large of an area as I can and park the coop in it.

The girls and I are now having a disagreement as to whether they are free range or pastured. I moved the pasture over a section and many of them are now leaving to go back to the old pasture...I did buy large bodied breeds on purpose to keep the flying to a minimum, but the girls didnt get that memo.

So my question is--how much pasture do they actually need before I move the pasture? Or, if I have a large enough area, do I have to move the pasture at all? The upper pasture was approx 75'x100'. They stayed in the upper half, so when I moved the fences, I made a smaller area, figuring that they really didnt need a huge space.

This is the lower area where they are fenced now. More shade trees and good leaves to scratch in. Good grass/clover.



Here is the upper area where they were--it has a hedge row of old cedars, good leaves and more grass than the lower section. They spent a lot of time up in the hedgerow (far rt) along a 5' wire fence and brush.

They were closer to the front door (the immediate foreground) and house in the winter and loved dust bathing under the big pine tree. I am planning to return them to that ground this winter again.

Thanks!

 

[RJSorensen]

I have a similar issue with my birds… and it would look as though I lost the argument. My management plan was just put in the round file by my birds. I have access to about two to three acres and your place looks big enough as well, to just let them go. They will most likely work it a section at a time, and move on to better pickings on their own. No help from you required other than a place to sleep that is sound and safe.

I find my birds like the shade, and stay in it on sunny days, but on overcast ones they work the areas that they don't get to as often. With trees/bushes and protection from hawks and such, places they can gain cover it looks like you have, let them go and watch them. They will tell you what you need to do, if you will watch. A sheet of plywood on cement blocks in the center of open places will give them a place to shade up and run to if needed. That would also be a nice place for a waterer. I have several out around the yard for them, no need to make them go the the coop for a drink, they will be back to sleep at night and that will be it.

Free Range is the way I have decided to go for now. With enough area and the amount of birds you have you might be just fine as I have, that this is the way to go. You see they won't be penned in the open sunlight, they want shade and cover, that is where the bugs are as well…

Best to you in your decision for your flock.

RJ

 

[cafrhe]

Thanks! 6 girls out already this morning. I will move the fence back so they can be where they want to be. I have 10 acres of woods surrounding my 1+ acre house site which is grass and some mature trees. This is our 1st year here, so I am still developing the plan. If selling eggs goes well, I will be adding to the flock. We are in an area that really wants fresh local food.

I would like to have better fencing and once I develop a plan, I will put in permanent fencing for the girls. High enough to keep them in!! I have also been thinking that they would do well in the woods. I am hoping that as long as they have a safe place to be in at night , they could live in the woods safely (fenced in to an area). Of course more chickens means I need a bigger, probably not movable coop. So I have to decide where the majority of the girls (or meat birds) will be located--woods or yard.