We lost one :-(

[anniemary]

Their brooder was getting too small, so we moved our 6 wk old chicks to a portion of our unfinished coop. They still seemed a little crowded, so we were letting them free-range during the day.

Well, one day only 21 of the 22 chicks came back to the coop. I think one got taken by a hawk or something, or she could've run into the woods and gotten lost. We have a large open area that's bordered by woods.

Since then, we've cleaned the rest of the coop giving them full access and have kept them locked up. Our run isn't built yet, and they are growing quickly!

Does this mean we can't free-range? Do I need to be out there constantly watching them outside? How can we free-range safely?

Thanks!!!

 

[Cats Critters]

Sorry for your loss

 

[kcardella]

I'm so sorry for your loss! Any time you free-range, you are taking a chance. The only sure way to make them safe is to provide a covered, enclosed run.

We live in an area with hawks, foxes, racoons, dogs, etc. The first time I free-ranged my chickens, I lost one to a hawk (only found a few feathers). The yard was completely fenced, but did not have any bushes for the chickens to hide under. I kept them in a covered run after that.

My yard now has lots of low bushes, plus I raised the coop, which gives them a place to run under also (good for the heat also). I started free-ranging again, and so far, so good. They seem to spend most of their time under things, and not out in the open, where our main daytime predators (hawks) are most likely to get them. I also leave the run/coop open for them to run into. Even with all of this, I know they are not completely safe outside their pen.

You might also want to consider a moveable tractor or portable electric fencing with netting on top (if the problem is hawks).