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

[K813ZRA]

I free range my birds but I am fully aware of what that means. I could lose some or all of my birds at any given time to a predator. It will be up to you to weigh that risk.

 

[IamRainey]

Another useful piece of information!

Thanks.

I can get a fully adult rooster from the local feed store. They get stuck with the chicks that turn out to be roos and they've got whole populations of them that go for $10. But I suppose, based on what you're saying, that they'd have to have time to integrate with the flock and learn how to protect them since they've spent their lives in an enclosed coop with other roos.

 

[Mrs. K]

if they are near a year, I would give one a try. You do need to have a plan for what you will do IF he does not work out. Might be too noisy for you or your neighbors, might be mean to hens, some are, or might be mean to people, some are. Have a plan before you get him. Wishing he would be nice and quiet won't work;-)

 

[chickencheeper]

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

 

[Kstring]

I free range exclusively. I have only lost one hen and one guinea to a wild predator. Did have an issue with my dog but that has been fixed. I live on 10 acres with only one neighbor. I've seen foxes, yotes, hawks and owls...fairly certain the owl or hawk is responsible for the two I've lost. One thing I do is keep their roost area near the pens for my hunting dogs. Not sure if that has helped but I'd like to think so.

 

[Abriana]

Don’t freerange. Use an electric fence! I love mine.

 

[bobbi-j]

I free range in the spring, summer and fall. I went for about 4 years without a predator attack, and when it came, it took half my flock in an afternoon. Pretty sure it was coyotes. That was 4 years ago. I have lost chickens to various predators since then. So, when I lose them they go into lockdown mode for a while. As Mrs. K says, it's important to have plenty of room for them in case you do have to lock them up to protect them.

Each chicken keeper has to decide for themselves whether or not it's worth the risk. It's not a matter of "if" but "when" your chickens are attacked. If one is emotionally attached to their birds and it would be devastating to lose them, I would say free ranging is not for that person.

 

[Amer]

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

Well that's good. I was a bit worried.

 

[chickencheeper]

Wow! Thanks for featuring my thread! This has had so much helpful info and tips. Thank you guys(and gals) for giving so much helpful info

 

[Louiseap]

I let my chickens out for an hour or so around 4 in the afternoon. I stay with them when they’re out because of predators.