Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[Amberjem]

I think free-ranging is a fine option if you are set up to do so, but you also have to accept that there are associated risks and responsibilities with doing this.

..yes.. though I do have to say some doo have a romantic idea of it... I mean I have a free range area but it's just a nice way to call a big ole fenced off area.... I have secured it with bird netting n such and it's nice to let them run in it but ya it isnt the fortress area their henhouse and henhouse run is

 

[ochochicas]

My flock does free range. We have 4 acres of horse pasture that they are welcome to use. We also have a yard and flower garden that no one uses, so it might as well be them. I totally realize that they are and will be exposed to wild birds that could transmit a variety of diseases. When we got chickens it was under the condition that they would free range and not be in a coop all day. We have had to change what we used to do as we learned what works and what doesn't. The chickens never go out before 10:30 due to predators being out in the morning. Fortunately we don't have ducks or any other water fowl. However, we have ravens, song birds, sparrows, hawks, owls and the like. If the wild birds are going to "drop" pathogens on my property, my birds are going to be exposed to it whether I let them out or not. Wind could blow them in, rodents could track them around, it could get on my clothes. It is something we are aware of, and we'll hope the best for our birds, but we will continue to free range as long as we have them. Watching them run around the pasture rolling in the dirt and scratching through poo piles is priceless.

 

[BGMatt]

I thought about changing my management style to allow more range. But once again my mentor's teachings prove correct. The birds are worth more than that to me and no need to recklessly endanger them. Large pens that keep wild animals out keep them safe and happy.

 

[jbkirk]

I personally think that controlled ranging is best. That way they get new grass every day, don't wreck your garden and don't kill all their favorite plants.

 

[CarolynF]

Quote:

If the flocks in the park(s) contract AI I believe we would be seeing a fairly large number of dead ones since AI takes less than a week to cause death. And I believe the Dept. of Ag. is coordinating its efforts with local hunters and wildlife groups to test dead birds that are found in the wild.

 

[jbkirk]

If the flocks in the park(s) contract AI I believe we would be seeing a fairly large number of dead ones since AI takes less than a week to cause death. And I believe the Dept. of Ag. is coordinating its efforts with local hunters and wildlife groups to test dead birds that are found in the wild.

Um maybe this is a stupid question but can't chickens recover from some strains of AI?

 

[Espresso]

I personally think that controlled ranging is best. That way they get new grass every day, don't wreck your garden and don't kill all their favorite plants.

I agree.

 

[BGMatt]

I personally think that controlled ranging is best. That way they get new grass every day, don't wreck your garden and don't kill all their favorite plants.

This does nothing to protect them from all the health risks posed by wild birds.

Um maybe this is a stupid question but can't chickens recover from some strains of AI?

No, well not these strains anyway. But waterfowl can, which is why they're more of a risk of spreading it to others, they can survive and become carriers.

 

[jbkirk]

This does nothing to protect them from all the health risks posed by wild birds.

But but but only way they could have contact would be fecal matter.

 

[BGMatt]

But but but only way they could have contact would be fecal matter.

Yes...which is precisely where the virus/bacteria are found. That was my entire point.