YES! to free range or NO!

[roostersandhens]

I put my chickens in their coop at night. Then I let them out in the morning. I have only lost one chicken to a predator ( A young chicken) he was killed by a hawk. I was very sad. I was afraid to leave home for the next few days. All my chickens free-range whether I am home or not. My roosters have saved the flock from hawks many times. If you have free-range chickens and you can have roosters I suggest getting a rooster. You chickens are much safer with a rooster around.
Good Luck!

 

[chicklens11]

Thanks a lot I might have to try and free range em when they get bigger! Getting more and more excited for them to be fully grown

 

[redneck farmer]

I sadly cant free range cause of where I live.. But if u want to for safety keep them in a large FENCED in area with fishing line strung over it in " chain link fence" pattern but make the diamonds about 2 to 3 foot big an the hawks might try to fly in but they only hit that fishing line once an they never try again( same with all flying preditors)

 

[chicklens11]

Might try something like that!! Thanks for the idea

 

[bj taylor]

i have a small flock (5 birds). at one point my youngest dog & 1 y/o killed 10 of my half grown birds. now, however, she never looks at them they free range over 1 1/2 acre everyday. there is some cover & some open. i have a very big rooster that is on guard all the time. he fought off a hawk that had one of my girls pinned to the ground.
i know on any given day they can be taken, but they have a quality of life that can't be matched - so they and i take the risk.
it would be hard for me to pen them up.