The day we said goodbye to free ranging! 😕

[Golden Comet Mama]

Hey guys so today we had to say goodbye to free ranging! So today we saw a hawk while our chickens were free ranging and it was right over them. 3 of our big hens went back in the coop and into the house. But our rooster stayed out along with our two smaller hens but the two smaller hens were under our porch. But we saw feathers and one of our hens was gone. We went and looked for her and it turned out she was under our porch too! But sadly we have decided not to let them free range anymore!
Any Thoughts?



Thanks For Reading!

 

[lagrange chicks]

I don't free range, just to many predators here. Just before I read this post I was looking out the window to see a hawk sitting in a tree by the coop. I decided in the beginning I would not free range so my girls don't no what there missing. I only have 7 and to lose any would put the egg count down.

 

[No Coop No Problem]

I read about horrible coop massacres all the time but none of them ever say they're done with coops forever

 

[Rose the Legbar]

I never free ranged. We have a large forested area behind our house and it is home to a large amount of predators (raccoons, coyotes, hawks, so many hawks, and a river otter one time). My girls would probably really love free ranging but it’s not worth the time, effort, and the mental anguish of losing one of them.

 

[Golden Comet Mama]

I never free ranged. We have a large forested area behind our house and it is home to a large amount of predators (raccoons, coyotes, hawks, so many hawks, and a river otter one time). My girls would probably really love free ranging but it’s not worth the time, effort, and the mental anguish of losing one of them.

That's my opinion

 

[AGeese]

Each to his or her own when it come to free range. Personally I want to see them out there enjoying themselves about the property.

I don't have a high predator load, but I have all the typical predators anyone has. My neighbors all free range too. We've all had some loss, but overall I would rather give them their freedom understanding the risk.

Over 4 years of free ranging:

- Had one goose mysteriously killed and taken.
- One hen attacked by a dog (she's still alive and well.)
- One failed attempt on a hen by an inexperienced chicken hawk.
- My neighbor told me he saw an eagle land near my geese.

Hawks are always about the property, but they have lots of easier small game to go for.

Obiviously loss with a very small flock will be a pretty big set back for anyone.

 

[lagrange chicks]

I read about horrible coop massacres all the time but none of them ever say they're done with coops forever

If its coop massacre it's the owner's fault for not securing access into the coop, just the same as loosing one to free ranging (chicken keepers fault letting them free range).

 

[AGeese]

Sounds like the birds got the drill down now. Since you're sad about this, maybe just confine them for a few days. You also have a rooster. They're on their way to becoming an experienced free range flock.

 

[Luv Ducks]

Hey guys so today we had to say goodbye to free ranging! So today we saw a hawk while our chickens were free ranging and it was right over them. 3 of our big hens went back in the coop and into the house. But our rooster stayed out along with our two smaller hens but the two smaller hens were under our porch. But we saw feathers and one of our hens was gone. We went and looked for her and it turned out she was under our porch too! But sadly we have decided not to let them free range anymore!
Any Thoughts?



Thanks For Reading!

My friend that has chickens had a hawk put a hole in her netting above the coop and get into it. They found the hawk dead and the hole where it came through. Apparently their Rooster killed it. I never thought that could happen but I have heard where others have read about them being able to do that. Not all Roosters will do it though so I think you made a wise choice not to free range. I keep my ducks all in their pens for the reason of safety. Better to be safe than sorry. Good Luck with them.

 

[Luv Ducks]

I read about horrible coop massacres all the time but none of them ever say they're done with coops forever

I had two of my favorite ducks get killed in my not 100% predator proof coop for them. I was depending on Nite Guard devices that was supposed to keep predators away. They worked for 4 years and then a coon got in one night and killed my favorite Wood Duck and one of my Khaki Campbells. I went out the next day and spent almost 4 thousand dollars on new sturdy coops so that this would not hopefully ever happen again. I was not done with coops forever but trust me, I bought good ones to keep my flock that I love safer. Some people may think I am nuts for spending that much money but I work every day and am entitled to keep my beloved birds safe.