Should I still let my chickens free range?

[the lemon tree]

Just about 10 minutes ago I came .isclose:. to losing my 5 pullets. I usually let them free range for most of the day but today when I went outside to check on them (as I periodically do when they're free ranging) I noticed all of them were hiding and acting strangely. All of a sudden, a red-tail hawk came flying out from nowhere. Turns out that there's a pair hanging out in my neighbor's backyard. Luckily, all of them were okay and I hand carried each one back to their coop/run.

So the question is, should I still let them free range and just cross my fingers that they can find cover when needed? The run I have is really small (not a whole lot of planning on my part when I bought the coop/run) and right now I don't have the time, skill, or disposable income to build another one. I can only supervise them for maybe an hour at most each day and up until today they were so happy foraging for snacks and running around. What do you think?

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

Those hawks will be back to get your little chicks for sure. If you don't want to lose any, I'd only let them out when you are there to watch.

Then put them back in the pen - hopefully it's covered. Dig up clumps of sod to put in there to keep them busy along with their starter which they still need as their primary food source since they are still growing.

Other snacks can be watermellon or other mellons, etc.

I'd LOVE to let my birds free range my 4 acres but don't because of the hawks (one was circling over head yesterday afternoon).

Good luck with you little ones.

 

[frankenchick]

I've been outside for about an hour, watching the hawk circling our place. My dog always lets me know when they show up -- she senses that mama doesn't want them around.

I lost my sweet Jane Marple to a hawk just before Christmas. She was trapped between snowbanks and couldn't get to cover. I learned from that and started shoveling the whole chicken yard and also installed a brush pile for them to run to. I've noticed that they're really good at evasion if they have somewhere to go.

I think as long as they have some sort of cover, it's okay to let them free range. You may still have losses, but that is an inevitable part of life. I know my chickens are enjoying the life they have, and it's an extra-sweet feeling when I count them in the evening and all are there.

 

[toletiquesbysam]

I would not let mine free range with a hawk eyeing them as food!! Keep them inside/covered run or you risk losing all of them!

 

[NCIndiaBlue]

... or you could just shoot the hawk.. is that illegal? I luckily haven't had any problems with hawks this year.

 

[tackyrama]

I just lost a half grown pullet to a hawk 5 days ago. I saw it but was not in time to prevent it from being killed. We did have the pullet for supper so not all was lost. Depending the time of year I have from around 20 to almost 100 chickens of all ages free ranging all day. I have only lost two birds in two years, both to a hawk. There is plenty of cover for them and that is why I think I have lost so few. I don't plan on ever confining my chickens to a run. I feel they are much happier and healthier living free and if I lose a few to nature so be it. My chickens have none of the problems that seem to come with too much confinement and overcrowding. No fleas, mites, cannabilism, worms or any of the yucky stuff you hear about all the time on BYC. I also do not plan on killing any hawks.

 

[stephhassler]

Actually, I have lost more birds when they were confined to a chicken tractor than from free ranging. However, my birds do have lots of trees and long prairie grass to hide in. I think that may perhaps be the key to free ranging - lots of good cover. I see tons of hawks and even eagles, but have yet to lose a bird to them. Coons and owls on the other hand . . .

 

[bc]

Free range or not - such a dilemma. I lost my very favorite hen to a coyote today. I'm SO sad, but can't imagine cooping them up. I'll just be more careful when I allow them out of the coop in the morning. We also have red tail hawks around, but I've never heard of them going for adult chickens. Does anyone know?

 

[Fowl97]

red tailed hawks are protected by law im not shure about others tho

 

[Fowl97]

my pullets are almost always free ranged. there is quite a few hiding spots tho. red tails are aferaid of owls if you get a wooden owl or somthing to copy the noise of it you should be ok