Safety vs freedom

[two early]

thank you all for your thoughts re: safety vs freedom. I only have 6 hens and one rooster and each one is dear to me (except that mean ol' roo, but the girls adore him so i must abide). we live on 20 acres and it seems when they free roam with my supervision, they don't go very far from the coop/run, but I can tell they are happier and enjoy it.
My son says just let them be chickens (he raises layers that free roam). He, like some of you, just takes it in stride (not callously) that farm animals die from predators. I'm a newbie at this ranch life and previously have only owned "pets". I love my hens, but not the way I love my dog/cat. I do feel responsible for them tho and hence the dilemma.....I really appreciate the thoughtfulness of many of your responses.... gives me much to ponder.

 

[Bravo]

My girls are so used to free ranging in the backyard that if I try to keep them locked in their roomy pen we don't hear the end of it--and neither do the neighbors. In an effort to keep harmony in the neighborhood my girls have access to most of the yard during the day.

We've hung up tacky CD's all over the yard in hopes that the refracting light keeps the hawks away. My mom brought over this crazy iridescent/sparkly owl which spins in the wind creating the same refracting light effect too.

At times I am really uneasy about leaving them out but if they weren't so stinkin' sassy they'd be locked up unless we were in the yard with them.