Free range chickens... I wouldn't have it any other way. Having the ladies roam the yard is heartwarming to me. Each one has their own "routine and quirks" which all add to their individual personalities. They all know where the coop is and instinctively return to it every night. They are welcome to go where ever they want. Nowhere is off limits. They do like the garden, the deck, outdoor furniture and the tall grass around the house. "Land mines" are all in the package, but hey... it's great fertilizer!
There is obviously the threat of predation. I've probably lost about 1/3rd to racoons, dogs, or hawks. That's been hard, but a it's part of nature's way and I've learned to take a few measures to prevent future incidents. The door of the coop is always closed except when gathering eggs or cleaning the coop. I leave a window open year round and the girls fly up to get into it to lay eggs or roost at night. There are a couple "goof balls" that have their own sleeping spots.
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| The window that stays open year round. |
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| "Herta" likes to sleep on the window... |
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| "Black Hawk" only sleeps in a tree next to the coop... (Year round!!!) One tough bird... |
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| Some of the ladies like the window roosts... |
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| Some of the ladies like the top of the laying box... |
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| Gran "the stinker" in the cold frame... |
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| One of this year's "new little shits" checking out the bench I made... |
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| Someone's been on the deck... |
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| Someone's been on the side walk... |
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| Some of the girls scratching in the back of the garden... |
So in a nutshell... I'm loving the free range philosophy... Chickens are a blessing...
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