Scared to free range

[cluckmecoop7]

Thanks! Yes, I have a huge run and netting on top.

 

[Folly's place]

Perfect safety is hard to achieve!
Having a predator proof coop and run is the ideal set-up, and having it large enough to be a happy chicken yard is expensive!
We free range our flock, and have losses sometimes; it's a trade-off that many of use choose to make. Having the flock in all the time is a fine choice too, and certainly will limit disasters.
Mary

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Thanks! Yes, I have a huge run and netting on top.

That's good! How many chickens? That may be the best you can do for them and just be content, knowing you are keeping them safe. Is there any forage in their run, or can you toss in a bale of hay once in a while to simulate forage?

We're fortunate to live on ten acres in a national forest area, sparsely populated. We have about, oh I don't know, a third to half an acre fenced off for their run, with plenty of forage. Every afternoon about 3:00 we turn them out because they are our tick control. We have no neighbors so dogs are not a problem, and hawks are rare. We have a wonderful dog that keeps coyotes away. All these factors make it relatively safe to free range and we seldom lose birds to predators. But like I said, every chicken owner has to make this decision based on their own situation.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

I have 8 chickens. 3 are chicks. More in a big run, and the other 4 will be in another big run soon.

 

[Beaglegal]

If you free range you have to willing to accept losses.

Argee, there are no guarantees. You have to weigh risks vs benefits

 

[Kdlevesque]

No free ranging for me either because I cannot accept a loss! I have lost two due to illness over the last couple years and it has devastated me every single time. I do have a large fenced in area that has a roof made from bird netting so they get to go out.

 

[LizzzyJo]

I have a LGD (German shepherd/border collie cross) or I wouldn’t do it at all. Even with a well trained dog though, you have to be able to accept an occasional loss. For me, the happiness I see in them in exploring is worth the very very rare loss. In my opinion a free life with a slight chance of early death is a life I would choose for myself. This is a subject on which educated and experienced chicken keepers disagree - and that’s the beauty of multiple opinions.

 

[ChickenThunderdome]

We let ours out for a couple of hours every couple days weather permitting. This allows them to forage and get greens/insects but we sit with them the entire time. This is the best method for not losing one in my opinion. We have a decent sized run though so they can get plenty of exercise when they are not out.