when to free range

[blumenmadchen]

For those of you that free range or have an open run, do you leave your chickens out while you are not home? My chickens have a small coop but I figured that they would be fine since they have a large run (approximately 10x30). But the run is not covered (it is bordered by my house on one side, a six foot fence on two sides separating it from my neighbors yard and a four foot fence that separates it from the rest of my yard) and I have only been letting them out when I am home. Am i bring too protective? I'm not sure what I think will happen to them, but I don't know what is appropriate. It would be great to know what others do. I have four chickens, 2 buff orpingtons and 2 easter eggers who are about 12 weeks old. Thanks!

 

[Den in Penn]

Before I got the poultry netting I would only let them out when I was there. I have a garden flower beds, neighbors, and no fences at the time. If I had let them wander they would have been somewhere I didn't want them. With the netting, the are out all day. Sure there are risks. But without knowing what predators you have I can't say if you are over protective.

 

[blumenmadchen]

I am not concerned about predators much during the day. We are in a neighborhood, but still rural. So we have plenty of predators, but rarely see them during the day. My neighbor has dogs that are outside all day, and I have dogs that are out when we are home. I guess I was originally worried that they would wander, but I don't think that they can fly over the fences. I have just been thinking that I should see what others do

 

[centrarchid]

Consider restricting free-range time to end of day. Shorter time can help limit area ranged and having dog present at same time. Diurnal predators are present but you can reduce odds they will strike. Flock of high value display birds I have near house free-range as described even though birds in house free-range 24/7. This part of how I keep the house birds on an area only about 1.5 acres in size while others range much further.

 

[blumenmadchen]

Consider restricting free-range time to end of day. Shorter time can help limit area ranged and having dog present at same time. Diurnal predators are present but you can reduce odds they will strike. Flock of high value display birds I have near house free-range as described even though birds in house free-range 24/7. This part of how I keep the house birds on an area only about 1.5 acres in size while others range much further.

I'm not sure I understand your post. I am asking if people free range or allow their chickens in an open run when they are gone (like at work, etc). I don't free range exactly since I am in a neighborhood, so they have a large, open run. My dogs are not in the same area as the chickens.

 

[centrarchid]

Cover run at very least to confine Easter Eggers when they are released into run. Dogs will not provide you protection. If run well covered then have birds released to run all day, if not then only when you are home. Hawks will find and just your hen only flock eventually unless your keep up defenses.