Runs or free Range

[ROCKIN R FARM]

My Hens and Roosters are free ranged all the time but they do have access to their barn and run anytime they need it. I do go out and shut them up at night just to be on the safe side. When I do notice a stray dog or any type of animal hanging around they do get locked up till the problem is taken care of. Mine rather be free ranging than in their coop.

deana

 

[BarredBuff]

Free range all the way. I have lost more chickens in a run due to coccidia than out on range. Plus they get all kinds of free food and the eggs taste better.

 

[10 point]

Quote:
I agree free range was my first option, befor we started seeing predators and the chickens became pets.

 

[jeffery57]

Thanks for all of your replies. Should the run be made of simple "chicken wire" or something heaver?

 

[fr27davis]

i do live in a suburan area of philly, but i do have a few acres of woods behind my house and last year the hawks, owls and and god know what else killed all of my guinie hens! so i am afraide of free range, would love to do it!

 

[oldchickenlady]

Do not use chicken wire, it wont keep anything out of your run! I used 1x2 welded wire for my run, with about 18" extended out on the ground all around the sides, staked down with tent stakes. If your chickens are grown you could use 2x4 welded wire, but I think the 1x2 is safer, especially if you will ever have younger birds. I made a pvc pipe run tall enough for me to walk into, covered it with a tarp for rain and sun protection. I love it! You can make them any size. Here are some pics

Here it is attached to my coop and covered for winter:

I forgot to say that my chickens do free range most of the time, but I leave the run door and the coop door open so they can go back and eat/drink or lay their eggs. If the weather is bad I dont let them out.

 

[lolita117]

I'm going to be using maybe a 2x4 welded wire, very heavy duty, and run tight chicken wire along the bottom length 2-3 feet from the ground up and burying a foot or 2 of chicken wire. I'll also be using 2x4's panels stapling my welded wire to them.

 

[Iheartchicks<3:)]

i free range my chickens, i only have 2. One rooster (standard) and one hen.. bantam (i DO NOT reccomend this combo.. im getting more hens!!) And i have yet to have a problem.. BUT we are home and they are usually right in the backyard.. and not in the pasture.. PLUS lots of trees and bushes to hide in..

 

[TajMahalChickens]

I second oldchickenlady on no chicken wire. It is flimsy and high maintenance and will rust very soon even if it is galvanized. Only use it to keep chickens in (not predators out). When using it, staple in onto a wooden frame. Otherwise it bends and tears.

I vote free range 100%. That is almost all I do since my two runs that I thought were huge got eaten down to nothing in a month. I am here at the house all day, I can keep an eye on them. I have not lost any chickens to predators when free ranging. I only lost one to a raccoon when they were in the run (the coon reached in and grabbed one. One way to prevent this is put a fence with smaller openings toward the bottom of the fence.) I have my dog free range with the birds, and he is a great protector.

 

[sherrybwc]

Quote:
Same here. I did keep mine enclosed until a few weeks ago and finally decided to let them out...glad I did.