Why I’ll Never Free-Range My Chickens Again

[Fishkeeper]

Chickens are not intelligent enough to make informed decisions about anything about their safety. They are animals. They are aware of dangers if they've seen or heard something to indicate a danger, and they have instincts that guide them on how to avoid predators and what to do if a predator comes, but they can't think about it the way we do.

 

[PattyNH]

I open our barn door and coop door (inside the barn) every morning, weather permitting. I close it at sundown or soon after, since it is now pretty dark when I get home. Some chickens choose to stay in the barn, some spend most of the time outside. If something spooks them, they run inside hollaring then come back out a few minutes later. I choose to give them the choice. I don't force them all outside other than the first couple times I let them out at about 9 weeks- prior to that outdoor time was in a small, covered run under the supervision of a human or 2 and my white Boxer). Have I lost chickens in the past three years to predators? Yes, 3 of them. One to a hawk soon after I got my first flock and two in a raccoon or fox attack one night this paat summer. Am I sad they died? Of course. But I will keep free ranging as I believe doing so is best for my chickens overall. I believe the older ones teach the younger ones how/where to forage, when to run and where to hide, just like a mama hen would. To each their own.

 

[WthrLady]

Lol. Sounds like my place. I hunt, trap, shoot competitively and protect my animals like a momma bear with her cubs.

Free Ranging isn't for everyone. I get that.

Not my farm.

 

[WthrLady]

BTDT too. 2 got lost in 8 foot tall prairie hay field acres of it. You want to talk ticks? ARGH. I found them, but they were seriously in the zone of a feeding frenzy!

 

[ChickenLeg]

I free range some, some do fine for years before we have an attack (bantams do best imo).

Others stay pinned 24/7.

Some are pinned part of the day, free range, then cooped up at night.

In fall and winter they all stay pinned up due to predators.

And other times of the year when one gets taken, they all get pinned up for a week or two until the threat is gone.

Keeping a dog loose with the chickens keeps predator attacks at virtually zero for me.

Cheers

 

[Butterscotchbitesfinger]

That vote was hard for me cause I keep my silkies penned up and let my bigger stronger birds , my ones that can fly free range. But I used to let both free range till me rooster died of old age and the very next day a hen got taken by the fox.....

 

[Butterscotchbitesfinger]

I free range some, some do fine for years before we have an attack (bantams do best imo).

Others stay pinned 24/7.

Some are pinned part of the day, free range, then cooped up at night.

In fall and winter they all stay pinned up due to predators.

And other times of the year when one gets taken, they all get pinned up for a week or two until the threat is gone.

Keeping a dog loose with the chickens keeps predator attacks at virtually zero for me.

Cheers

Agree

 

[Butterscotchbitesfinger]

I open our barn door and coop door (inside the barn) every morning, weather permitting. I close it at sundown or soon after, since it is now pretty dark when I get home. Some chickens choose to stay in the barn, some spend most of the time outside. If something spooks them, they run inside hollaring then come back out a few minutes later. I choose to give them the choice. I don't force them all outside other than the first couple times I let them out at about 9 weeks- prior to that outdoor time was in a small, covered run under the supervision of a human or 2 and my white Boxer). Have I lost chickens in the past three years to predators? Yes, 3 of them. One to a hawk soon after I got my first flock and two in a raccoon or fox attack one night this paat summer. Am I sad they died? Of course. But I will keep free ranging as I believe doing so is best for my chickens overall. I believe the older ones teach the younger ones how/where to forage, when to run and where to hide, just like a mama hen would. To each their own.

I agree
My silkies are in a 6x3 run and 2 of the 6 are on eggs so they are all happy
My 12 in the other coop free range with my Great Dane to watch over them
I would let my Great Dane watch over both flocks but both have roosters and the two will fight and the foxes know the dog can’t get into the silkies pen so they choose to get my silkies
Foxes make me so angry

 

[Birdinhand]

I don't advocate for free ranging because sooner or later there is loss of life and my chickens are a big investment for me and my family, we depend on the eggs. That said, I do understand the temptation and respect people's choices and on rare occasion, under supervision, let them out as long as we are right there. even so, I do acknowledge that an eagle, hawk or other vermin can swoop by and take one or more out in a heartbeat. I put my focus on providing fascinators and ample space in runs. the bottom line is, I provide them food, water and protection and they provide eggs for my family and for their safety, they give up freedom.