Stupid question about rangers.

[georgialee]

Can you really range them for the whole day and only feed grower in the morning/evening? I really don't have the right kind of land to have a tractor (very hilly) and the ease of letting the birds free range is very appealing. We do have a heavy predator load (mostly nocturnal)... will the chickens be okay, do you think? Our land is 5 acres and pretty overgrown - so tons of spots to hide, fly to, etc. I don't think hawks would be a problem b/c of all the trees. And ideas/opinions for me?

eta: I forgot: would they eat less feed if they ranged all day?

 

[zephyrcreek]

This year I have raised CX, colored range broilers, and dixie rainbows. I feed am and pm and let the birds range all day unless weather is really bad. They will not eat tall grass. It needs to be mowed in order for them to range. So far I have not lost a bird and we are surrounded by just about everything except gators and bears. I have used a combination of hoop houses and chicken tractors, and am very pleased with the results. The only losses I have has after they have been moved out of the brooder is 2 that got hurt when I moved their homes. Not a bad % for over 300 chickens and 70 Turkeys.

 

[georgialee]

Thanks for the info! That is really good to hear. I'm thinking it would be MUCH less mess to free range, lol!

 

[shelleyb1969]

Hi!

I've got Colored Rangers now...10 weeks old and absolute monsters!

I feed them in the morning, and they free range all day. Most of the time, there's still food left in their bowl/feeder at dusk. I'm super impressed and pleased with how adept they are at foraging.

BTW...I'm originally from Cleveland...just down the road from ya!

 

[georgialee]

Thanks for that info! That's exactly what I wanted to know. I like the idea of the cornish x but I hate the amt. of waste that is produced in such a small area... and with so many predators I wouldn't be able to have a chicken that can't fly free ranging. Now I just need to hope that the rangers can successfully escape the random dog that strays onto our land. :fx (oh, and that DH will make another coop

).