To free range or to not free range? That is the question

[TeeMom]

Our chickens and ducks are locked in a coop overnight, but free range exclusively during the day. We live on just over 7 acres, but the 2 acres immediately around the house is bordered on 2 sides by thick pine and cedar tree lines and then dotted with trees and cover between. This does two things...it provides a clear boundary for our free rangers and predators seem to skirt around it, opting for the open pastures to the north and east that aren't as frequented by our dogs and 5 busy kids to traverse our property. Our dogs are contained to this same free-ranging area with an underground fence and provide even more of a deterrent and are excellent chicken guardians. Have we lost birds to predators before? Of course...it is definitely the down side to free ranging, but in our circumstances, the benefits far outweigh the losses. There is nothing I love more than looking out a window and seeing my flock do their chicken things. I'm grateful that our setup is so accommodating.

 

[GardenJen77]

I just started free ranging my chickens a few weeks ago. It happened quite by accident actually. The wind blew open our enclosure door that had a (unknown to us) faulty latch. They were out having the time of their lives.

I was all

But, after doing some research and talking with some chicken raising friends, I found out how to work with them. They do stay mostly together (I have 24 hens and one roo) but there are a few who venture off and do their own thing. I have learned to just let them be. They are happier (and probably healthier ) getting more exercise than just being in the run.

Now trust me, we do have predators. Last year I lost half my original flock when a coyote jumped a hole in that enclosure. That made me pretty darn . But, I learned to get over it. I just make sure to keep an eye on the flock, and they do get pretty noisy if something out of the ordinary comes around. We also have 2 dogs that go out of doors on a regular basis. The one, actually "babysits" the chickens.

My neighbor tells me that there are chicken hawks and a resident bald eagle around, but we haven't heard or seen them, yet. We will cross that bridge when we get there. For now, when it's a nice day and the yard isn't covered in 2 inches of snow, they come out and have fun.

 

[GldnValleyHens]

My chickens and ducks free range during the day, through the yards, fields, woods and gardens. I know they are very unhappy when they are locked up, and they show this by pacing and hitting the run, and staring at me with big, mournful eyes. They love being able to do their own will, and plucking grass and eating bugs. Of course, they are prey for hawks and the many coyotes nearby, so after multiple losses I have decided to keep the vulnerable Polish, Silkies, and my 2 D'Uccles locked up, and allow the others to free range.
Their eggs will stay tastier and more orange-yolky. The ducks will have part time free range mostly because I cannot trust my German Shepherd who ate Princess Buttercup last year, and the ducks decimate my garden in the muddy seasons.

 

[Peppercorngal]

We have lots and lots of predators, but we also have dogs, so the predators (with the exception of other dogs) do not come around in the daytime. With that said, our only problem during the free range day hours were dogs, so we put a 4 foot fence around a very large "free range" area. (aprox 60x60). The chickens are ok during the day and automatically return to their coop to lay and at night. I close the coop every night because we have fox, coyote, raccoons, possoms, rabbits (oh so dangerous!!??) and bears roaming at night. Our coops are predator proof so they are safe. Because there is lots but limited free range area, they always return to the coop to lay and then go back out. Their run is 15x30 and their coop is 8x10. Eggs from free range chickens are better looking and better tasting. If possible I'd free range them. They also love it!

 

[Trellinius]

I haven’t gotten any alerts on this thread!! To clear things up- I’m not asking if I should free range, this is just a general discussion about free ranging and it’s benefits and downsides. I am certainly not going to be free ranging where I live- suburban neighborhood, neighbors close on one side and separated by small woods on other, street in front and side of house, hawks and coyotes, dogs(neighbor’s and ours)! We’d loose all the birds in less than a month. Annnnyyyywayyyyy, please continue this very helpful and informative discussion. Thanks

I believe it has a lot to do with why a person has chickens. If a person has chickens to admire the plummage in an exotic breed then keeping them penned is a good idea. If a person has them primarily for eggs then keeping them penned and "helicoptering" as some have mentioned, is good...modern feeds do well at promoting egg laying.

On the other hand, someone like myself, that has chickens primarily as a natural (organic, green, environmentally safe) way to keep the population of ticks and other bugs under control, free range is the only option. I mean, how can they get under the deck (only a foot off the ground) and scratch through the leaves that the rakes and leaf blowers don't get and where ticks thrive if the chickens are penned up and not allowed to scrounge around for their own proteins? After all, I would rather eat the protein of an egg, made from a hen eating the ticks (protein) than to have the ticks eating my protein!

I have two roosters, which keep an eye on my hens... even protecting their own girls from each other! When the hawks are around all the chickens hide in the cedars or under lower limbs of other trees. The coons, coyotes, and other predators are primarily nocturnal and m chickens go to their coop every night about dusk and I go close the door for them...

 

[Trellinius]

My chickens and ducks free range during the day, through the yards, fields, woods and gardens. I know they are very unhappy when they are locked up, and they show this by pacing and hitting the run, and staring at me with big, mournful eyes. They love being able to do their own will, and plucking grass and eating bugs. Of course, they are prey for hawks and the many coyotes nearby, so after multiple losses I have decided to keep the vulnerable Polish, Silkies, and my 2 D'Uccles locked up, and allow the others to free range.
Their eggs will stay tastier and more orange-yolky. The ducks will have part time free range mostly because I cannot trust my German Shepherd who ate Princess Buttercup last year, and the ducks decimate my garden in the muddy seasons.

Take a dead chicken, tie it to to dog above his shoulders right behind his neck. leave it there til it rots off. he will NEVER eat another chicken, or even chase them. In fact, he wont eat leftover chicken nuggets. He may not even want chicken flavored dog food.

Yes, its gross. But it works every time . . . you only need to do it once. Your chickens will go into the dog house to get bugs from the bedding and the dog will lay there and say "thank you ma'am"

 

[Lifewithchicks]

Mine free range when we are outside or when they are in the fenced portion of our backyard, and we still watch closely from inside and do headcounts because they can get out of the fence. But at least it keeps dogs out. Anything they see in the sky, they all take cover (even though it’s buzzards 99% of the time). For 2 years they free ranged our property all day with no problems and then we started having problems with a neighbors dog. So now they still get to, it’s just much less carefree for me, lol. They are locked up every evening. I couldn’t imagine never letting them out, they long for green grass and get downright mad when they’ve been stuck in the coop and (very large) run for a few days. Just a tip, they love mealworms and that’s how we get them in the coop when we need to leave or go inside. Just shake the bag near the coop and they all come running full speed! And what’s cuter than chickens running?!

 

[Trellinius]

I live in Northwest PA. I have a flock of 12. One rooster. We free range ours all day, sun up to sun down. We do have problems with predators - raccoons, possums, coyotes, hawks, minks, etc. Over the last two years, we have lost a few birds. Most died naturally. One was hit by a car. None were killed by an animal predator but there have been hawk attacks. I work from home so I am able to keep watch over the birds. Our neighbors are retired so they are home all day as well. I think our success has to do with all the cover we have - bushes, pine trees, porches, anywhere the birds can go to hide.

Yes, having "cover" is important if free ranging

 

[Dawnclucks22]

I think it depends where you live. IMO I think it would be better for you not to considering all the predators in your area unless you really think its necessary. But ultimately it's your pick!

 

[IamRainey]

I think it also must have a lot to do with how many chickens you (can) have.

I only have 3. Though I will have 8 by the end of the Summer.

My zoning isn't especially clear about how many chickens are allowed. It seems to be regulated by a restriction on non-commercial applications and what the neighborhood will tolerate. Still, on what are 1/2 acre and smaller properties, it's probably only reasonable to keep the flocks small and, therefore, VERY sensitive to losses from predators.

I'll continue to helicopter range mine. As I said originally, me and my chickens will just have to embrace our yuppy-dom... I just would feel the loss of even 1 too much and I'm not willing to pay hundreds of dollars as a consequence.

But I respect those of you who are free to let yours free range.