Rethinking or rather scaring self

[FBMcrazy8]

I’m not going to free range. And most of it has to deal with predators. A week ago it would have been because of my husky. But now that we don’t have her, I don’t have to worry about it so much. But there are foxes, coyotes, hawks, owls, raccoons, skunks, opossums, etc. and we are surrounded by corn field on 3 sides and a busy road on the other. But it wouldn’t take much for a predator to lurk in the field and snatch one or more. You would have to consider the lose of your hens. I had a neighbor that said they lost over 70 chickens in one morning. They didn’t even eat the chickens or take them. Just tore them apart and they were all over their yard. I haven’t seen coyotes in my area during the day, but I have foxes.

I’m not saying that I wouldn’t do it eventually with myself out there, but I would rather just keep them in the run. And we made it big enough that they can run and play. I have 1 that is always trying to get out when I open the door, but she is also the first one run to me thinking I have food with me.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

You can read all of the horror stories but you should also read all of the success. So here is mine... 20years at this. I've lost ONE chicken out of about 50 to a predator. Still don't even know what it was. I put the story on here and everyone said dog. But that is just no way. So maybe hawk, maybe Eagle, hell we even have bear where I am but what has worked for me all these years is a solid lock up coop, then very large chain link run around it (open top,) then outside of that a flimsy chicken wired 1/2 acre. Outside of that is the rest of our property on a river, on a mountain, the only predator we don't have is snakes. I let them roam all day every day within the chicken wire part during summer (just so they don't get into my gardens,) and completely everywhere during winter. I think it's safe to say that my story gives you something to balance out all of the peeps who tell you to not do it. Ultimately it's up to YOU.

 

[Hip Hillbilly Acres]

You can read all of the horror stories but you should also read all of the success. So here is mine... 20years at this. I've lost ONE chicken out of about 50 to a predator. Still don't even know what it was. I put the story on here and everyone said dog. But that is just no way. So maybe hawk, maybe Eagle, hell we even have bear where I am but what has worked for me all these years is a solid lock up coop, then very large chain link run around it (open top,) then outside of that a flimsy chicken wired 1/2 acre. Outside of that is the rest of our property on a river, on a mountain, the only predator we don't have is snakes. I let them roam all day every day within the chicken wire part during summer (just so they don't get into my gardens,) and completely everywhere during winter. I think it's safe to say that my story gives you something to balance out all of the peeps who tell you to not do it. Ultimately it's up to YOU.

Read it; gonna re-read it with a fresh mind. Thank you SO much for chiming in! Made my evening.

 

[Ozarkoak]

My two cents. I would rather let my birds free range and have a tiny roosting only house that is 100% night time predator proof than a coop and run that you are constantly chasing down how the coons are getting in. Plez no flamz me.

 

[AGeese]

My two cents. I would rather let my birds free range and have a tiny roosting only house that is 100% night time predator proof than a coop and run that you are constantly chasing down how the coons are getting in. Plez no flamz me.

You'll get no flames from me brother. I'm happy that some folks have this luxury to be able to spend the time, money and or effort keeping a clean secure coop and run 24/7 for their birds.

I tend to balance quality of life with risk and I think the quality is worth that risk, but not without careful consideration of course.

 

[Hip Hillbilly Acres]

My two cents. I would rather let my birds free range and have a tiny roosting only house that is 100% night time predator proof than a coop and run that you are constantly chasing down how the coons are getting in. Plez no flamz me.

Right here, a pair of brown frantically clapping hands (no emoji or surely I would have posted it).

 

[SmiYa0126]

I wfh so I let mine out after nine and they put themselves into the run around six pm. I had one failed hawk attack last year and no other predator attempts. We back into woods, we have foxes, racoons, opposum, snakes and I've heard we have coyotes.

I keep my run clean, and my chickens do go into woods on the one side.

 

[Shadrach]

The difference. . .those were HIS chickens; these are mine.

You've gone wrong here.
They were never his, or now yours.
Get that sorted then they take their chances just like the rest of us. While we rarely get predated by other creatures these days we still die through accidents and disease and bad life choices.

 

[Shadrach]

You've lost me on . For they indeed were HIS chickens. Just like the ones "I" am brooding now are definitely mine (for all intent and purposes).

Then I suggest you are not ready for free ranging. The secret is in the word free.

 

[FBMcrazy8]

You've lost me on . For they indeed were HIS chickens. Just like the ones "I" am brooding now are definitely mine (for all intent and purposes).

Honestly, I get what you meant. Just like my chickens are MINE and the ducks we will be getting again, will be MINE. And he has HIS Race car and HIS tools. I have MY tools and MY vehicles. Though speaking in a marriage it’s 50/50 but let’s face it, there are things the other doesn’t want so in turn becomes just mine lol. Or I just take ALL claim. Like the ducks lol

But honestly, I would support either way you go with free ranging or not. You know your predator level and if it doesn’t work out, you can ALWAYS change it. All I was doing was giving what I will be doing and what my thoughts where as to why I don’t think I will. After the recent tragedy, I want to protect them a little longer before I even consider it again. I did prior to it for at least 2 of them. And now, I am not so sure.