scared!

[cubalaya]

in my opinion chickens need to free range. they get along better, feathers look better, they lay more eggs, and their overall health is improved by free range. that said, someone is always here when they free range. the coons and foxes at night and the hawks and stray dogs during the day can do some damage if not kept in check. make your coop runs as strong and predator proof as possible. keep a shotgun close.

 

[johnsons-r-us]

We open the coop (we don't use a run) in the AM and close it when they put themselves to bed at night. We live in the country and have no issues with neighbors. I wouldn't have them any other way! There are risks with whatever you do. I like to keep things as "natural" for them as possible, protecting them at night when they sleep. I could not keep chickens if they had to be locked up all the time and could not enjoy their freedom.

 

[Ridgerunner]

One of the uses I have for a run is when I lose one to a predator, I keep the others locked up until I can deal with the predator or the predator decides there is not always an easy meal here and stops hanging around. It doesn't work perfectly but at least it gives me time to try something. Different strategies for different people.

 

[johnsons-r-us]

Quote:
That is a good idea. Our coop came with the house and did not have a run. I didn't even know what a run was until I was on BYC for a while! We will probably do something about it at some point. We just thought, there's the coop, lets get chickens!

 

[shanilynn2010]

Thanks everyone I do live on 6 acres ! I think we will be okay! But will be watching my babies!

 

[cubalaya]

a run allows them to be outside the coop and still protected. of course they will eat every blade of grass in there. some of our chickens are allowed access to the run and get to free range too. some of our chickens are in moveable tractors that allow them fresh grass and new bugs. these are protected by the tractor but get to free range some too. some of our chickens are free ranged all the time and roost in the greenhouse at night. these are usually cockerels that know to run in the woods when a hawk gets too close.