The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[pigeonguy]

Maybe the question should have been why a run built out of more than chicken wire if you free range?

 

[Leahs Mom]

Please help support me with this by posting you want it too.

Quote:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/767918/byc-abbreviations

Good idea...I posted over there. Would make it more user-friendly.

Any way my question is. What is the purpose of a pred proof run if free ranging?

Several reasons

There will be times you can't free range. (high pred season or sightings)
There will be some breeds you do not want to free range when you are gone for the day
There will be birds you want to keep clean for show or conditioning
Protection of young birds before free range age

Quote: Pigeonguy
Yes, I do see your point.
One of Del's points was wanting to let them outside while away for the day but not wanting them to have to stay in the coop. I fall into that category as I leave for work very early.

So...for me... more security means that a NEIGHBORHOOD DOG wouldn't be able to break through. Dogs are pretty persistent and I saw what they did to Fowlman's pens - took out EVERY SHOW BIRD HE HAD. His wife tried to stop it but she has an illness and could only do so much...

I think for me, neighborhood dogs during the day are my greatest concern in a less-than-fort-knox pen.

However - I do agree with what you're saying about the night coop being secure. I don't worry about my birds at night (unless I get a human robber) as my kiddos are inside secure.

 

[Leahs Mom]

OH...when they're out running I currently have electric netting that I hope deters dogs. Will probably get more sometime this season to enclose the whole hen house.

 

[camilleathome]

Couldn't see your first video for some reason...Good to see you again! Wondered how you were doing!

Im doing good. Just getting over a cold and Ive finally moved to the farm . I was super busy with training in the city(Stayed at my friends house while hubby stayed at the farm). So now Im finally here starting my life as a hobby farmer . Working from home at night. So far Im loving it but it kinda feels like a dream Im about to wake up from lol.

 

[camilleathome]

Good idea...I posted over there. Would make it more user-friendly.

Yes, I do see your point.
One of Del's points was wanting to let them outside while away for the day but not wanting them to have to stay in the coop. I fall into that category as I leave for work very early.

So...for me... more security means that a NEIGHBORHOOD DOG wouldn't be able to break through. Dogs are pretty persistent and I saw what they did to Fowlman's pens - took out EVERY SHOW BIRD HE HAD. His wife tried to stop it but she has an illness and could only do so much...

I think for me, neighborhood dogs during the day are my greatest concern in a less-than-fort-knox pen.

However - I do agree with what you're saying about the night coop being secure. I don't worry about my birds at night (unless I get a human robber) as my kiddos are inside secure.

Weve seen some stray dogs and foxes around plus our neighbor has some large dogs. Id love to fully free range the chickens but at the same time it scares me that they might get killed by the dogs. Im going to have a talk with the neighbor about it. We also saw eagles and hawks around so we are going to have to do some heavy thinking on if we want to do just electric fencing in our main pasture or if we want to build a run as we plan on making a coop area up at the barn.

 

[pigeonguy]

Good idea...I posted over there. Would make it more user-friendly.

Yes, I do see your point BUT...
One of Del's points was wanting to let them outside while away for the day but not wanting them to have to stay in the coop. I fall into that category as I leave for work very early.

So...for me... more security means that a NEIGHBORHOOD DOG wouldn't be able to break through. Dogs are pretty persistent and I saw what they did to Fowlman's pens - took out EVERY SHOW BIRD HE HAD. His wife tried to stop it but she has an illness and could only do so much...

I think for me, neighborhood dogs during the day are my greatest concern in a less-than-fort-knox pen.

However - I do agree with what you're saying about the night coop being secure. I don't worry about my birds at night (unless I get a human robber) as my kiddos are inside secure.

I can understand if you have a dog in the area like that. He would make great BFSL food. After I trapped him took him home and warned one time. I get the part that that would be to late though. I would also have them pay for the chickens. I would be a little upset if they stole from me and a dog killing something of mine and the owner not paying for it in these parts is considered stealing.

 

[pigeonguy]

Weve seen some stray dogs and foxes around plus our neighbor has some large dogs. Id love to fully free range the chickens but at the same time it scares me that they might get killed by the dogs. Im going to have a talk with the neighbor about it. We also saw eagles and hawks around so we are going to have to do some heavy thinking on if we want to do just electric fencing in our main pasture or if we want to build a run as we plan on making a coop area up at the barn.

I was not saying don't do it if the need is there just got me thinking on something. Everyone needs to do what is right for they're area. It is all about what makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside and we all deserve to feel warm and fuzzy.
Heck the run around my coop is chain link fence just can't sometimes figure out why. I let them out all day from 9 AM till they go in about 1 to 2 hours before sun down.

 

[Sally8]

Bahaha Yes I am female.

Almost everyone in here is. Only a few guys. We girls outnumber them 10 to 1!

Does anyone have black currants, red choke berry, gooseberry, rasp/blackberries, ground cherry, asparagus, ramps, rhubarb (that actually gets red and grows pretty tall), bridal wreath, honeyberry, or blueberries that they'd like to pass on????

I'd be willing to accept any of these!!!!!

I have raspberry bushes that tend to be a little invasive or else I don't keep up to date with dividing and conquering. They multiply with runners underground. The original 3 bushes were planted 5-7 years ago and now I have hundreds. They are very sweet and delicious and when I do keep them divided the berries are quite large. I've never used any chemicals on them but picked Japanese beetles by hand. I live in NY but don't know if I can send them across state lines.

 

[Sally8]

My husband let the chickens out this morning but didn't give them their handful of grain. They started lining up on the porch rail and several were on the deck below the window. The cats were watching their own chicken tv.



aoxa = the little gray chick is sizzled but it appears that the yellow one is not.

 

[loanwizard]

Bahaha Yes I am female.

Almost everyone in here is. Only a few guys. We girls outnumber them 10 to 1!

Why do you think we're here?