Terrified to free range

[Rocky86]

Hey all,

What is wrong with me? We have a good size yard and I have been so excited to free range. Now my kiddos are ready to be let out (with supervision) and I am terrified. Especially as yesterday I went to and a hawk flew up and landed on the fence eyeing my neighbors chickens.

Any tips for deterring hawks? Adding more cover opportunities for the chickens? We live in the city. I understand having them free range is part of taking the risks, but I want them to as I don’t want them boxed up in just the coop and run.

I will take any advice on anything to do with free ranging.

Thank you!

 

[Ridgerunner]

I thought you were going to say you chicks were afraid to free range, they often are to start with. But no, it's you.

Any time you let the out there is a risk, even if you are there. There are stories on here where a hawk or fox took a chicken within 15 feet of where a person was standing. Some of us can free range for years without a loss, even if hawks, foxes, and coyotes are around. Others can lose chickens immediately. You just don't know what will happen.

If you or the dogs are out there, that is a deterrent. Having places where they can get under can help. That might be something propped up on cinder blocks or such. I saw where someone used an old satellite dish. Could be a bit of plywood, furniture, plastic, whatever. If they can get under bushes that could be good. Is your run covered, they may duck back in there if they see a threat. Smaller chickens are more at risk than larger chickens and you have bantams.

Some people can handle losing a chicken to a predator easier than others. That run is pretty small. It is your call but I think you'd be better off building a larger run.

 

[nuthatched]

If your run is the proper size there's no reason to let them out. Unfortunately, losses are a part the lives of 99% of chicken owners, the first one is the hardest.

 

[Folly's place]

As usual, RR has already said it all. Chickens do enjoy playing in the yard, but losses will happen, sooner or later. Raptors will take one bird at a time, easier to handle than a canine, who can kill everyone at once. Either way, never a good event.
So, a nice big coop and very safe run. The birds will be happy with piles of stuff added to their run to play in, and they will be safe.
Many of us have lost birds because we under built our coop and run at first. pictures of your set-up will help here.
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

The run roof is slightly slanted, but snow or ice will accumulate on it, and can weigh a lot. That framing just won't hold the roof well enough, IMO. We built ours to house standards, because we wanted no issues with it collapsing, especially if one of us is inside at the time. And nobody want to be out there at 2am in a blizzard sweeping the roof.
I'd love to be wrong about your framing...
Mary

 

[630004]

we have lots of hawks here. The yard is also pretty open. We move the chickens around on a weekly basis with the electric fencing. We do have a mobile chicken shelter that we made that they can go hide under.

our rooster is super watchful and gets the hens to go and shelter whenever the hawks come around. the crows are also super useful in chasing them off.

 

[Rocky86]

As usual, RR has already said it all. Chickens do enjoy playing in the yard, but losses will happen, sooner or later. Raptors will take one bird at a time, easier to handle than a canine, who can kill everyone at once. Either way, never a good event.
So, a nice big coop and very safe run. The birds will be happy with piles of stuff added to their run to play in, and they will be safe.
Many of us have lost birds because we under built our coop and run at first. pictures of your set-up will help here.
Mary

Lol they are very spoiled chickens so I guess that counts for their happiness too! .

Below are pics. Still finishing the coop with perching and what not.

 

[Rocky86]

Lol they are very spoiled chickens so I guess that counts for their happiness too! .

Below are pics. Still finishing the coop with perching and what not.

I let them out for like 20 minutes!

 

[Folly's place]

I'd double the size of that run, at least.
Also about security: The hardware cloth is not secured well enough, and the latches could be opened by any raccoon who shows up. And about the structure: Snow load! Your run wouldn't survive here, don't you have snow too?
Mary

 

[Rocky86]

Well good sounds like all things just require some modifications!

Here is a better picture of the roof in case you have any more ideas for structure. I appreciate you!