Supervising free range chickens

[Kaesi2020]

Hi everyone, we have been letting our chickens out in the yard on and off throughout the daytime. We have six 12 week old pullets. 95% of the time they stay in the back yard although I am sure they will get more adventurous as time goes on, we live on three acres and there is a great variety of woodland for them to explore. We try and supervise them and always put them back in the run if we leave the house. This usually looks like me either out in the yard with them or checking on them every so often if I am I am inside.

I am just curious if anyone else does this too. I know it is still a possibility for predators but I like that they can have the space to explore and eat. If you supervise your chickens while they free range, what does that look like exactly? What times of day, how close by are you, etc. Have you had issues with predators despite your close proximity?

I think we may supervise less as they grow and get bigger, knowing the risks involved. We are still deciding though how much unsupervised free ranging we are comfortable with.

 

[centrarchid]

I release birds when I get home from work which allows between 1 and 4 hours before birds go back to roost. I spend most of time working yard, garden or chicken pens as well as play with kids. Dogs are also present. Dogs and even kids know to run off predators. Predator incursions are relatively rare, but you keep them at top of mind after they occur. At moment I have two broody hens with chicks running free. They stay very near house, often near where dogs lay to stay out of heat. When juvenile chickens are out, like yours, then that is when I am most on my toes becuase they range further and are less able to avoid getting caught. I will loose one or two then contain them and quickly make adjustments to prevent further losses when chickens let back out. Most adjustments come from dogs.

 

[Kaesi2020]

I release birds when I get home from work which allows between 1 and 4 hours before birds go back to roost. I spend most of time working yard, garden or chicken pens as well as play with kids. Dogs are also present. Dogs and even kids know to run off predators. Predator incursions are relatively rare, but you keep them at top of mind after they occur. At moment I have two broody hens with chicks running free. They stay very near house, often near where dogs lay to stay out of heat. When juvenile chickens are out, like yours, then that is when I am most on my toes becuase they range further and are less able to avoid getting caught. I will loose one or two then contain them and quickly make adjustments to prevent further losses when chickens let back out. Most adjustments come from dogs.

Thanks. I am learning what you mean about the juvenile birds wandering. I went inside for a short time yesterday and when I came back out they were down the street in the middle of the road.
So you/your family have had to intervene with predators in the past- in the daytime?

 

[cmom]

I have had a fox kill some birds that were out during the day. If you free range you will loose some birds eventually. I was painting coops one day and a fox sneaking in took my favorite bird while she was dust bathing in one of the garden beds. I have had a hawk kill a bird not 10 feet away from me and another time a hawk grabbed a chick right next to my DH. It happened so fast. Just beware once your birds are discovered a predator will look for an opportunity and take it. Good luck and have fun...

 

[Kaesi2020]

I have had a fox kill some birds that were out during the day. If you free range you will loose some birds eventually. I was painting coops one day and a fox sneaking in took my favorite bird while she was dust bathing in one of the garden beds. I have had a hawk kill a bird not 10 feet away from me and another time a hawk grabbed a chick right next to my DH. It happened so fast. Just beware once your birds are discovered a predator will look for an opportunity and take it. Good luck and have fun...

Thanks for the reply and sorry to hear about your birds.