Should I let them free range?

[farlo4]

I have some chicks that are going to need a bigger home soon. I have the coop and I have an area that I could fence off, but it's so expensive! I was wondering if I could let them free range? Of course they would have 24 hour access to their coop. My propert is an acre. It is probably 3/4 an area where the chickens would be. It is surrounded by a chain link fence. I live in the middle of a city, so there aren't any foxes, eagles, and such. Sometimes I see a few stray cats, but from what I understand most cats won't pick on a full grown chicken. Anyways, what do you think? Also, will they fly over my fence?

 

[RileyCalanchini]

Of course! I always let my chickens free range and they love it. The eggs also taste way better too. As long as they can't leave your property they will be fine. Plus you live in the city so there shouldn't be any predators. When night comes around, they will go back into the coop, so you don't have to worry about that either.

 

[jtbrown]

Coyotes and fox both have city cousins that thrive in the urban environment, so, regardless they need to be closed up tight at night (owls, raccoons, fox, etc). That is not meant to be an alarmist, just a realist. They also my jump over the fence, depends on the birds, and where your coop is in relation to the fence.

I free range my birds daily, a very large flock, and we occasionally have losses but I think the trade offs of better eggs, healthier chickens are worth it. We do live in the country and have a livestock dog that hangs out with them.

 

[RileyCalanchini]

Coyotes and fox both have city cousins that thrive in the urban environment, so, regardless they need to be closed up tight at night (owls, raccoons, fox, etc). That is not meant to be an alarmist, just a realist. They also my jump over the fence, depends on the birds, and where your coop is in relation to the fence.

I free range my birds daily, a very large flock, and we occasionally have losses but I think the trade offs of better eggs, healthier chickens are worth it. We do live in the country and have a livestock dog that hangs out with them.

I do agree with jtbrown. There are relatives of foxes and coyotes. I live in the country also and I have to close the coop at night other wise we have issues. Hahaha! It really depends on how you feel. You know your flock best.

 

[Angry Farmer]

Lighter breeds will jump the fence. Clip the flying feathers on 1 side only.

 

[bobbi-j]

You are the only one who can decide if you should free range. No matter where you live, there is always a chance of loss to a predator. When my son was going to college in St. Paul, MN he watched a coyote cross a 4-lane freeway. There are also fox, raccoons, skunks, and hawks in cities. Not to mention stray dogs. You just haven't seen them because most of them are generally nocturnal, and they have no reason to visit your yard. Once you get chickens, that tends to change. They are on the bottom of the food chain. I live in the country and there are predators everywhere, but I still free range. To me, it's worth the risk. Depending on how high your fence is, and your birds' tendency to fly, they may or may not fly over the fence. Hard to say, until you try it. I'm not trying to discourage you. I just want you to realize that no matter where you live, there are always predators.

 

[farlo4]

Thank you for all your opinions. I could easily pen them up in the coop at night.

 

[austinm]

Free ranging is the best for the chickens getting bugs in the grass digging in for a dust bath but even in the city be careful there are predators out there that well get your chickens

 

[LauraSac]

This is a big question for me, too. We have 3 dogs, so training them all to "leave it" consistently isn't something I'm totally confident with. I can control their interaction with the girls, though, but we also have neighbors on two sides of our backyard fence with dogs. And we definitely have hawks.

I live in an urban area and can only have three hens max, but we're starting with just two Rhode Island Reds. They're only about 8 weeks old right now and are finishing up their coop training so they haven't even been in the run yet. I have a garden, with a 4-foot fence, that I'd like them to turn over for me in the Fall, and we want to let them free range under supervision (the only time a neighbor with hens lost one was during the day when they were free ranging on their own. She blamed our neighborhood feral rooster, but I'd be more likely to blame a hawk).

I know we have owls, rats and (occasionally) possums at night, not so sure about raccoons. But we have a solid run with 1/4 inch hardware cloth all around and as a buried skirt, as well as a locked coop. My biggest predator fear, though, is the neighbors' dogs. It certainly wouldn't be their fault if our chickens flew over the fence. Our fence is 6 feet. (see pics)

My questions are:
1. How likely is it that a RIR can fly over our fence?
2. How hard is it to clip wings? I've seen the "how to" videos. I need to know if it's something this newbie could do without having a meltdown.
3. Would it be better to have a movable tractor run? Their permanent run is 32 Sq. feet for the two of them.

 

[bibkel]

Mine have a yard that is weeds, with patches of grass....I let them free range and I close the coop at night. I have never lost one during the day, but if I forget (read too lazy) to close the coop....well, I have lost a couple that way.
If you are ok with shallow bowls dug in the dirt and possibly the lawn then yes, let them out. If they are big breeds then I would not worry too much about flying, I have 2 that like to fly up to a fence, then over it. My thought is, if you leave, you are on your own. My neighbor has dogs and so do I. I know one of my dogs has developed a taste for ducks, my daughter caught him red mouthed.

I still have the occasional duck that somehow gets on the other side of the fence (I have lots of 2x4 hardware cloth separating sections due to fence issues and shed installations). You can clip ONE side of the wings, I would stick with the same side for all birds, Right side is my choice. You have to spread the wing and carefully cut the primary flying feathers (go to you tube,I learned by a parakeet) and then they don't have enough balance to fly. I choose not to, they can fly over a fence to get back into safety and if one ends up in my dog's yard again...well, I want it to have a chance.

I can just picture all the bugs in the patch of grass you showed. Paradise for a chicken. Even if you just bring them out for a while, while you are doing gardening or bbq or whatever, they will love it. I occasionally let all mine into the dog yard, so they can get the spiders and whatnot...dog inside of course, unless I am right there on top of him.