Free ranging carries risk just as driving an interstate does for humans.
Thank you..that is great advice. I'm a research freak...lol. but I had not familiarize myself on the habits...ill be doing that today. I've got traps which go out tonight and a .22 waiting for them. I guess it wouldn't have been so hard on me if I wouldn't have rescued her, and nurses her back to health. She was my shadow. Plus I blame myself for not paying more attention. But it was a hard lesson learned
I certainly understand the feeling of paranoia following a predator attack. I suffer from it every time I have a predator incident. My flock is in the run right this minute because I'm indoors typing this. Though it makes little difference to a dedicated predator whether you are outside with your chickens, it makes one feel a little better.
The best thing you can do for yourself and your flock is to become familiar with the types of predators in your area and educate yourself on their behavior patterns. It will give you a fighting chance to keep your flock safe to know what time of day these predators are most likely to be hunting their prey. Providing cover for your flock if you have no trees or shrubs for them to run under will increase their chances of survival. Even something as simple as strategically placed patio chairs and tables in open areas will give your chickens something to run under and may save their lives if a hawk swoops in for the kill.
Other predators may be more inclined to hunt early in the day or close to sundown when long shadows give prey a false sense of security. Learn which predators those might be and avoid those times of the day to free range your flock. There are no certain assurances, though, that you can think of everything to protect your flock when they free range. But you can increase their odds of survival.
