[KONY]

What an adventure these birds have become.

After raising them from day olds and watching them do their thing, it's funny so many people are okay with keeping them caged or in small coops/runs their whole life. I understand the ones that have lost whole flocks to predators, but don't understand the ones that are lazy and are trying to use the chickens to their maximum benefit without caring about the chickens welfare.

These animals are meant to wander free. It's amazing how efficient they are at finding their own food and how non interested in grain - even scratch grain when they can wander. In 10 minutes they cover either 1/8 acre if their is abundant resources (summer), or 5 acres this time of year at the start of winter

I can't blame them, I wouldnt eat mcdonalds every day if I could have fresh wild organic food.

I should mention I don't think it should be illegal, or is even wrong to keep them caged, I just would never do that or support caged birds after seeing them in their natural habitat.

[Borderliner]

birds know what they need as for people agree shame they are not given the best environment to live

[CosmicGiggle]

luckily for the caged birds they don't live that long.

[growingcrazy]

Also the best way to bring soil back to life on your property. We have a flock of 55 that run free year round.

[Lester Beans]

Do you fence of a large section of property? How do you keep predators out?

I have many fox, mink, coyote around all the time. I'm not sure how I would keep them out yet maintain free range.

[dragongrower]

got pics??

[Borderliner]

yotes come in at times on my street but does keep the dogs off the street

[Green Squall]

Originally Posted by Lester Beans

Do you fence of a large section of property? How do you keep predators out?

I have many fox, mink, coyote around all the time. I'm not sure how I would keep them out yet maintain free range.

I was wondering the same thing. We have an abnormally large coyote population. There's a house that has a real nice setup down the street from me. The chickens spend their days roaming a fenced in yard, guarded by two dogs, and spend the night in a chicken coop, also fenced off.

[growingcrazy]

We have a pretty good population of coyote and some fox...

My main deterrent daily are my dogs... 3 of them. A 90 lb Aussie, 120lb lab/dane and a golden. The Aussie will put a 600lb hog where he wants them, so coyotes really aren't a big deal.

A dead coyote in front of the coop door for a few days will also make them stay away.

No light colored birds also helps. I made the mistake of letting 3 white ducks out to range...found them gutted...

We have 10 acres of well covered/protected wetlands on the property, so the birds prefer the natural protein over grain. As well as the egg customers preferring the yolk quality.

[Borderliner]

yotes will gang up on a dog if they are hungry