I remember years ago, when I was able to free range my flocks. The property is pasture/hayfields, surrounded by a lot of thick forest. The issues began when the chicken and turkey flocks got adventurous enough to begin exploring the forest. The wild turkey hens were of interest to my males, and they would follow them to the forest edge. Then, one day they followed, so I had to go retrieve my turkeys. And, of course the chickens were interested in seeing what was in the forest as well. I went on one too many search missions after that. In the beginning, predators didn’t seem to be a problem. Once they know where to find an easy meal, then they’re always a problem. I was forced to supervise their free range time, until we finally built much bigger runs. I’m sad that they can no longer be free to explore the property.We have all that, add bear. Our two dogs, three cats, guy wires, several tall wind spinners, and solar and electric motion lights keep the riff-raff away. The farmer across the road jokes that every night she sees lights being set off across our property from one end to the other by one of the dogs or cats that it's almost like a light show.
Knock on wood the last 7 of 8 years, we've not lost anything to a predator. Our first year, there are a few sad stories of missing hens.