Part of the responsibility I feel in writing my blog and keeping my Facebook page includes bringing awareness to problems and concerns that all chicken-keepers face. We have a lot of fun with stories and pictures of the pleasant side of keeping chickens, but important topics that make us uncomfortable must be addressed as well. My hope in sharing my experiences is that they will provoke constructive dialogue and thought about how we handle these issues individually. How we care for and keep our chickens and property safe is important to discuss, but in the end, our choices are personal and not subject to others’ approval. What is the best quality life I can afford my chickens given my risk tolerance for loss to predators?

With all the joys and benefits that come with keeping backyard chickens, there are plenty of heartbreaks and weighty decisions to be made about their care, chief among them, whether or not to permit a flock to free-range. This is a sensitive subject and for good reason- the stakes are high and the emotions it evokes, even higher.

 Chickens, predators & the myth of supervised free-range.

In a predator-free world, who wouldn’t prefer allowing their chickens to roam freely, unconstrained by  galvanized mesh barriers to explore fresh, clean land and manage their own diets by foraging on insects and vegetation, all while getting plenty of exercise?  But, we do not live in a predator-free world and choices must be made based upon our risk tolerances and what we feel is right.

Just prior to dusk last night, a coyote silently and skillfully procured his dinner from my flock as I stood nearby.

THE MYTH OF SUPERVISED FREE RANGE

The theory of “supervised free-range” suggests that one can prevent predators attack from happening by being physically present with the flock while they graze, unconfined. The concept of supervised free-range seems like a reasonable compromise between the two extremes of complete physical freedom and constant confinement to a limited area. Unfortunately, supervised free-range does not actually prevent predator losses as I witnessed just prior to dusk last night. A coyote silently and skillfully procured his dinner from my flock as I stood mere yards away. My rooster, Blaze, immediately rushed to aid his hen, but the perpetrator and his victim were long gone by the time he reached the crime scene.

While I wish it were true that chickens are safe when we are nearby, it simply is not. Free-ranging chickens, supervised and unsupervised are fair game in the food chain. A predator’s hunger can take precedence over any fear of humans, and the speed with which they procure their meal, quicker than the eye. While I was armed with only a camera last night, even if  I had been holding a loaded firearm, I could not have prevented or stopped the coyote attack from occurring.

We do not live in a predator-free world and choices must be made based upon our own risk tolerances and what we feel is right.

The attack itself, which occurred right behind me, is not depicted in this video, what the video shows is what was going on in front of me as it happened. By the time I turned around, the coyote was a vanishing blur and all that remained of my hen was a pile of feathers (also not shown).

There is no question that unconstrained ranging on pasture is a more natural experience for chickens or that they are healthier as a result of being able to choose from Nature’s buffet of greens and protein sources while getting much-needed exercise. The only question that remains is, what is the best quality of life I can afford my chickens given my risk tolerance for predators?

What is the best quality life I can afford my chickens given my risk tolerance for loss to predators?

Personally, I prefer to allow my chickens live their lives fully and freely, unconfined during the day and if Nature claims them back into the food chain, I grudgingly accept that fate.

The messages I hope to impart by sharing this experience are that:

  • the benefits and risks of free-ranging should be thoughtfully weighed;
  • one’s personal risk tolerance for loss should be carefully considered;
  • what one flock-keeper is comfortable with is the right choice for them- others need not approve.

I am always mindful that we built our house in Nature’s backyard, not the other way around and I accept the rules of the game that were in place before we imposed upon it.

Kathy Shea Mormino, The Chicken Chick®

Kathy Shea Mormino

Affectionately known internationally as The Chicken Chick®, Kathy Shea Mormino shares a fun-loving, informative style to raising backyard chickens. …Read on

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Part of the responsibility I feel in writing my blog and keeping my Facebook page includes bringing awareness to problems and concerns that all chicken-keepers face. We have a lot of fun with stories and pictures of the pleasant side of keeping chickens, but important topics that make us uncomfortable must be addressed as well. My hope in sharing my experiences is that they will provoke constructive dialogue and thought about how we handle these issues individually. How we care for and keep our chickens and property safe is important to discuss, but in the end, our choices are personal and not subject to others’ approval. What is the best quality life I can afford my chickens given my risk tolerance for loss to predators?

With all the joys and benefits that come with keeping backyard chickens, there are plenty of heartbreaks and weighty decisions to be made about their care, chief among them, whether or not to permit a flock to free-range. This is a sensitive subject and for good reason- the stakes are high and the emotions it evokes, even higher.

 Chickens, predators & the myth of supervised free-range.

In a predator-free world, who wouldn’t prefer allowing their chickens to roam freely, unconstrained by  galvanized mesh barriers to explore fresh, clean land and manage their own diets by foraging on insects and vegetation, all while getting plenty of exercise?  But, we do not live in a predator-free world and choices must be made based upon our risk tolerances and what we feel is right.

Just prior to dusk last night, a coyote silently and skillfully procured his dinner from my flock as I stood nearby.

THE MYTH OF SUPERVISED FREE RANGE

The theory of “supervised free-range” suggests that one can prevent predators attack from happening by being physically present with the flock while they graze, unconfined. The concept of supervised free-range seems like a reasonable compromise between the two extremes of complete physical freedom and constant confinement to a limited area. Unfortunately, supervised free-range does not actually prevent predator losses as I witnessed just prior to dusk last night. A coyote silently and skillfully procured his dinner from my flock as I stood mere yards away. My rooster, Blaze, immediately rushed to aid his hen, but the perpetrator and his victim were long gone by the time he reached the crime scene.

While I wish it were true that chickens are safe when we are nearby, it simply is not. Free-ranging chickens, supervised and unsupervised are fair game in the food chain. A predator’s hunger can take precedence over any fear of humans, and the speed with which they procure their meal, quicker than the eye. While I was armed with only a camera last night, even if  I had been holding a loaded firearm, I could not have prevented or stopped the coyote attack from occurring.

We do not live in a predator-free world and choices must be made based upon our own risk tolerances and what we feel is right.

The attack itself, which occurred right behind me, is not depicted in this video, what the video shows is what was going on in front of me as it happened. By the time I turned around, the coyote was a vanishing blur and all that remained of my hen was a pile of feathers (also not shown).

There is no question that unconstrained ranging on pasture is a more natural experience for chickens or that they are healthier as a result of being able to choose from Nature’s buffet of greens and protein sources while getting much-needed exercise. The only question that remains is, what is the best quality of life I can afford my chickens given my risk tolerance for predators?

What is the best quality life I can afford my chickens given my risk tolerance for loss to predators?

Personally, I prefer to allow my chickens live their lives fully and freely, unconfined during the day and if Nature claims them back into the food chain, I grudgingly accept that fate.

The messages I hope to impart by sharing this experience are that:

  • the benefits and risks of free-ranging should be thoughtfully weighed;
  • one’s personal risk tolerance for loss should be carefully considered;
  • what one flock-keeper is comfortable with is the right choice for them- others need not approve.

I am always mindful that we built our house in Nature’s backyard, not the other way around and I accept the rules of the game that were in place before we imposed upon it.

Kathy Shea Mormino, The Chicken Chick®
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WhiteTaleFarm
WhiteTaleFarm
10 years ago

Very sorry about your hen. We live in one of the most rural regions of Vermont on about 100 acres. This area is home to bears, coyotes, coons, fishers, weasels, skunks, hawks, owls, etc. Surprisingly though, we haven't lost a bird to predators. We have two German Shepherds and a Yellow Lab. I use an ATV to run the dogs around the property most days so their scent is all over and they are certainly not what you'd call 'quiet'. A few years ago, some coons would visit on occasion but they stopped once we got the Shepherds. Even at… Read more »

Jody Holm
Jody Holm
10 years ago

I'm so sorry for your loss and the feeling of helplessness that comes with it. You have a healthy attitude about the balance of life that I agree with, but it doesn't lesson the loss.

Kristina Ashley Smashley
Kristina Ashley Smashley
10 years ago

Yes, tis true. Having chickens is a delight, but can also be heart-breaking. In April of this year my girls were free-ranging… I was inside but we had lots of windows so I was watching them. I turned on the vacuum for maybe 10 minutes and when I turned it off and went outside all I found were feather piles all over the place. I recovered three hens immediately, but 7 were still missing. Found one more hen shortly after… driving down the road we found the rooster 1/4 mile away. Then a few hours later one more hen waddled… Read more »

Chris Price Kluge
Chris Price Kluge
10 years ago

So sorry!!! But you are so right! I feel the same way as you. I only have 7 and live on close to 2 acres.. I love to let them out and do their things naturally. I try to provide as safe a place as I can, but I know this is not a guarantee that something won't happen to them. I just simply don't want chickens that are penned up all the time. You provide such a GREAT environment for your flock, and they have a great life while they are here!

Stephanie Serenity Steele
Stephanie Serenity Steele
10 years ago

I am so sad for your loss. Over the 50 or so years that I have kept chickens I have had my turn in this bucket and I know how helpless it feels. Kudos for your non-judgemental attitude. I hope the coyote moves on

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