Bartering Makes a Comeback

[Pamcake]

Originally Posted by 052.5GT

I understand that free ranging will spread this out.

Do you ever worry about birds of prey on free range chickens?

Up here in lafayette we have a substantial number of Redtails and evan a lot of Bald Eagles now. Are free range chickens at risk? What do you do about Fox and Coyote?

Yes, there is worry for that; the chickens intuitively forage under other objects (the orchard trees & such) for protection from above. I have not known any losses to predatory birds here. That doesn't mean it hasn't happened. I take free-range chicken losses to be part of "farm life". It is just gonna happen.

What do I "do" about fox/coyote? Fencing off a large area is not a practical option for us. So, nothing special...hope our dogs keep them away...be ready to defend the chicks if I see one... it is just gonna happen. the risks for inevitable losses are (IMO) outweighed by the free-range incredible quality eggs and fewer barnstall clean-out projects (since they spread their manure around in nice weather)

The biggest losses we have had is from Raccoons & Coyotes/Foxes, and possibly dogs, in past years. Here is what we did: We have a barnstall dedicated to the free-range chickens that now has an excellent battery operated light sensing door (I am totally amazed how long that battery has lasted, over a yr now!!) that closes them in at dusk. Few losses since that has been installed. They come & go during the day as they wish.
Got 30 more day-olds last October, this week one just started laying eggs!