To free range or not?

[Percydoodle]

I know this is controversial. And everyone has their own comfort levels with predators and dangers but I feel like I’m at a breaking point. We’ve had chickens for five years, started with a flock of five Orpingtons. We lived in the suburbs, they were in a small coop most of the time and free ranged when we were home. I always felt bad and knew we had plans to move somewhere with more land they could be free. We moved a year and a half ago and have since added more chickens. We have 17, a mix of Orpingtons and Swedish flower chickens. We free ranged for awhile, we lost my favorite to a bobcat last May. And after that we started making sure they were fully away near dawn and dusk. The bobcat never came back, however, a hawk started picking them off. We lost three more between July-November. After the last loss I decided I couldn’t handle it anymore and they were locked up until we could build them a safe enclosed run. Now that winter is over (ish) we’ve been trying to get started on that project, but it’s daunting, expensive and we honestly don’t know if we have the time or skills to get it done. But I think the main issue is I’m not sure that’s enough. When they were free range they were SO happy. They would sunbath, dirt bath, constantly finding good bugs, run around and had the best chicken life. We never had any issues with feather plucking, bumble foot, bare backs from mounting and they all looked great. After being in the coop all winter, to be quite honest, they look like shit. We try really hard to keep it clean, but we all know how much chickens poop. One of them has bumble foot, most of the hens have bald spots because they are being mounted by our rooster a lot and can’t get away, they get poop on their feathers and look so dirty. That’s not how I keep animals, I pride myself on taking exceptional care of all the animals we have and this can’t continue. For those that free range, how do you accept they’re going to get killed? I want them to have the best life even if it means a bit of risk because right now they just feel like egg machines. Sorry for the long post, I’m just trying to get my thoughts out.

(Picture of our 5 year old orp Meera, when they were still loose)

 

[Rose the Legbar]

Sadly, if you truly care about your hens, you will never get over their deaths or accepting that they have a high chance at dying. Since winter is going away and you have locked them up for a good chunk of time, you can try to have a few “test runs” of free ranging and see if the hawk comes by.

 

[ValkerieGunn]

I look at it like this. Will they be happier free ranging and possibly getting nabbed by a predator or stuck in a run safe from outside harm? Personally I believe freedom is best and I accept that I will lose some and that stinks but they aren't pets they are livestock for us.

 

[The Moonshiner]

What are they in now? You said coop and wanting to build a run. Do they not have a run now?
From your post you may never really accept the idea that some may get taken.

 

[Yardmom]

We free range most of the time. We are very aware of the risk involved and know that losses will happen. It is hard to explain the difference between pets and livestock as it is a mindset. I think it is much easier to accept losses in livestock than in pets.
Keeping in mind health and natural behavior are what make me choose to free range.

A few things can help minimize losses. Providing cover protection for ariel predators. Bushes work well, but other things such as picnic tables could be put in place quickly. Walking the property before letting the chickens out can help scare off ground predators. We actually have our dog do this as she is more aware of smells etc. The presence of a dog can be enough to deter some predators.
If we are going to gone for a longer time during the day the chickens are left in for the day.

 

[WingItRanch]

I like the suggestions by the others. I'm in a similar predicament. I have A LOT of predators and decided when I first got chickens that they would never free range. I changed my mind. The joy in free ranging and the health benefits outweighed the risks to me. I only let them out in the afternoons after work and put them in well before dark.

I do love my chickens but they are livestock to me. I don't name them for this exact reason but I still want them to have the best life possible. I'm not saying free ranging is the right choice. I'm just saying it was the right choice for me.

 

[Perris]

how do you accept they’re going to get killed?

No-one gets out of here alive, so for me the only thing that really matters is quality of life. My oldest are now 8, so it's not a given that free ranging results in an early death. It can be long as well as happy and healthy.

 

[ChaosMom]

I know this is controversial. And everyone has their own comfort levels with predators and dangers but I feel like I’m at a breaking point. We’ve had chickens for five years, started with a flock of five Orpingtons. We lived in the suburbs, they were in a small coop most of the time and free ranged when we were home. I always felt bad and knew we had plans to move somewhere with more land they could be free. We moved a year and a half ago and have since added more chickens. We have 17, a mix of Orpingtons and Swedish flower chickens. We free ranged for awhile, we lost my favorite to a bobcat last May. And after that we started making sure they were fully away near dawn and dusk. The bobcat never came back, however, a hawk started picking them off. We lost three more between July-November. After the last loss I decided I couldn’t handle it anymore and they were locked up until we could build them a safe enclosed run. Now that winter is over (ish) we’ve been trying to get started on that project, but it’s daunting, expensive and we honestly don’t know if we have the time or skills to get it done. But I think the main issue is I’m not sure that’s enough. When they were free range they were SO happy. They would sunbath, dirt bath, constantly finding good bugs, run around and had the best chicken life. We never had any issues with feather plucking, bumble foot, bare backs from mounting and they all looked great. After being in the coop all winter, to be quite honest, they look like shit. We try really hard to keep it clean, but we all know how much chickens poop. One of them has bumble foot, most of the hens have bald spots because they are being mounted by our rooster a lot and can’t get away, they get poop on their feathers and look so dirty. That’s not how I keep animals, I pride myself on taking exceptional care of all the animals we have and this can’t continue. For those that free range, how do you accept they’re going to get killed? I want them to have the best life even if it means a bit of risk because right now they just feel like egg machines. Sorry for the long post, I’m just trying to get my thoughts out.

(Picture of our 5 year old orp Meera, when they were still loose)

Do you have a lot of cover so they can hide? Was your rooster good at watching for aerial predators when they free-ranged?

 

[Percydoodle]

Do you have a lot of cover so they can hide? Was your rooster good at watching for aerial predators when they free-ranged?

I did occasionally see him work to keep the flock protected from aerial predators, but that seemed to be mostly when we only had four hens. Once we introduced the rest of them they kind of kept separate. The bobcat loss was one of our originals, but all the aerial loss was our newbies

 

[Percydoodle]

No-one gets out of here alive, so for me the only thing that really matters is quality of life. My oldest are now 8, so it's not a given that free ranging results in an early death. It can be long as well as happy and healthy.

It’s true. All these comments have been really helpful. I think I actually have been able to do some mental work to accept their deaths. We do have three five year old hens, so really that’s pretty good for production breeds from tractor supply! Plenty of hens never make it to five. I want them to be happy so it’s the right decision. Thanks for your input