Free ranging in winter

[NH Homesteader]

500 chickens..... Sooo much chicken poo....


I am down to 19 now. That's quite enough!

 

[treerooted]

(I won't tell)

 

[NH Homesteader]

Love ducks! They're kind of feed hogs. But mine laid better than most of my chickens. They're way fun, and mine came when you called them (they're also easy to herd)... I've been wanting more...

 

[waretrop]

I have 250 chickens. They have a very large coup and have a very large chain linked area to be out in during the day. They also have an electric fence around the whole thing to protect them from coyote and bear. Plus the fenced in area had a thick netting over it. There is framework to hold the netting up. It's quite elaborate. They have access to 300 pounds of feed at all time. We also clean them every week without fail. Our neighbor has a compost in an out of the way spot for horse and chicken manure. As it begins to decompose he sells it.

If I free ranged our chickens, I would not have one left in a few months...

 

[NH Homesteader]

They're awesome. We have chickens and turkeys, and having all three was too much. DH is allergic to duck eggs and the turkeys are his favorites so my ducks lost! We might get some again in the future though.

 

[Chic Rustler]

I kinda want to build a flock of 500 or so and let them ravage the neighbors lands. But the wife says heck no! Lol


My flock seems to be responding well to free ranging so far. They aren't interested in feed so much anymore.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I kinda want to build a flock of 500 or so and let them ravage the neighbors lands. But the wife says heck no! Lol

 

[Hinotori]

Our winters are mild here and I can free range the big girls until about the new year.

Well vegetation will allow year round, but the flocks of hungry hawks move in around then. I've lost enough birds to them. I do mean flocks here. Had a group of 6 come through trying for my girls. One didn't realize there was netting over the pen and almost got stuck.

The girls have to be kept penned until the sun is well up and an eye on them in the evening because of the stupid coyotes.

Haven't had any issues with the bear that hangs out in the area since he doesn't like coming near dogs and houses much.

 

[Beekissed]

I free range all year round and have excellent forage for most of the year, still have a few foraging opportunities in the winter months but they still need feed of some kind all year round and more in the winter if they are to stay warm. Winter in the colder areas means animals have to have good feed in order to stay warm, so when foraging goes downward out there, supplemental feed is necessary.

 

[Peckadoodle]

It is almost 80 degrees in Texas today, so no problem free-ranging. I tried; the chickens loved it until a couple of dogs (cannot figure out where they came from) dug under the fence and killed a few layers. Decided it was not worth the risk when they have a nice, safe, large pen.

This morning my 10 baby chicks got a little sunshine and moved into a bigger house. Oh, sooo cute.