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

shop my SPONSORS

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®
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
346 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Eva_NS
Eva_NS
2024 years ago

Hi Cindy, I’m so glad your Buttercup got away. Three days ago I lost my beautiful (and big) Buff Orpington, Daisy, to a hawk. The other ten were silent and hiding in some low brush cover, took me a long time to even find them. Ever since, the hawks have been circling low – 3 of them today. They are huge and not afraid of me. My girls have always enjoyed free ranging, but my heart is broken right now. We’ve had a few attacks, but they’ve never killed anyone. This time it seems they’re waiting around for a meal.… Read more »

Lisa wetterich
Lisa wetterich
2024 years ago

I lost 2 chickens two separate days. I’m wondering if it was a fox. I set 2 traps for 6 days. The predator not only got the sardines each time, but escaped the trap, the door was always closed , but no fox! My question is, how do you know what you’re dealing with? Both times, there were only feathers left. It looked like he carried them over the fence. I tried digging a hole and putting food in the hole, then placing the cage over the hole. He escapes every time. Please advise. I’m open ears. I’m afraid the… Read more »

Barbara Webb
Barbara Webb
2024 years ago

Your blog is so very helpful! I do not have chickens yet and have been doing all sorts of research in preparation for getting a few hens (limit is 5 in our city) next spring. We have a raised bed vegetable garden that is about 40′ x 60′. It is surrounded by a 4′ tall wooden fence reinforced along the inside with cattle wire fencing to keep the bunnies out. The plan is to replace one of our 5′ x 12′ raised beds located under a shady maple tree, with a coop and fully enclosed run. I have seen people… Read more »

1 63 64 65 66 67 69