Loading…
18
Vent: Neighbor told me I was "free ranging wrong" because my flock stays in the yard
So my neighbor across the fence in Boise sees my 6 hens scratching around the backyard and goes "you know they're supposed to roam, right? You're basically keeping them in a prison." Lady, my yard is 1/4 acre fully fenced with 4 foot wire plus an electric line on top. Last spring I tried true free range and lost 3 birds to a red tail hawk in 2 weeks. One minute they're pecking clover, next minute it's a feather explosion. My birds are healthy, laying 5 eggs a day, and they pace the fence line like they own the place. She lets hers wander the whole cul de sac and she's lost two to cars this summer. Am I missing something or is the "free range purist" thing just a way to feel superior until something eats them? Anyone else deal with this? How do you handle the "experts" who've never cleaned a coop in their life?
1 comments
Log in to join the discussion
Log In1 Comment
johnh821mo ago
Alive hens beat "free range" bragging rights every time. Your setup sounds safer than the cul de sac buffet she's running, lol. Keep doing what works, she'll learn when her flock hits zero.
6