question to those that free Range

[Salve&Fluffer]

I have lost 1 chicken when free ranging.She was a teenage Bantam.

 

[bkterry]

When we first started raising chickens we lost several to hawks, but I think it was because we started out with chicks and let them free range for too long too soon. A good rooster will keep a lookout for predators flying overhead and let the other chickens know. Also crows will be a good indicator of a looming hawk. Once our chicken became older (the ones who survived anyway) they were much more seasoned and knew what to watch out for.

The thing you really gotta make sure of is that they have a well designed coop and run to escape to. Always leave the door open while they are out so they can easily hide if necessary. A covered run is the best way to go. Once we covered our 16 by 20 foot run with a tarp and fencing the hawk doesn't come around anymore. Just gotta make sure nothing can come into the coop at night because a coon, oppossum, or even a dog will clean you out overnight.

 

[horsejody]

My predator losses have been due to dogs. That has been a few years ago. I haven't had a problem with that a sympathetic deputy actually arrested a dog owner for me. (you gotta love that kind of law enforcement).The wild things don't seem to bother them during the day. That is just dumb luck on my part though because there are coyotes, foxes, coons, opossums, skunks and weasels around here. And those critters do hunt during the day sometimes.