But I need that UFO at 8:41 to really make it predator-proof!

@WelcometoChickenlandia

8 ай бұрын

Alien vs Predator!

@davidlgti1

8 ай бұрын

haha! Saw the same thing...is that a spaceship? lol

@Desron58

8 ай бұрын

I bet it's that raccoon from Guardians of the Galaxy. Put fencing over the run to keep raccoons out? They counter by getting a space ship.

@sharonsherwood8411

8 ай бұрын

Seriously.....what was that?

@jenniferd2322

8 ай бұрын

You beat me to it! That was great! Hehehe.

From looking at your huge enclosed area, I feel that it’s like being free ranged because it’s so large.

@ML-ks2lj

3 ай бұрын

You can definitely design them to be very similar to free ranging by throwing down some hardware cloth over 2x4s and letting grasses and herbs grow for them to forage on buy not eat it down to dirt. You can thrown piles of leaf litter in there inside anring and not them scratch it up like a compost pile or piles to give them that biota to consume. It can be designed as Intricate as you want it to be

So many animal related channels are judgmental and vitriolic. I love that you keep it judgement free.

My chickens decided to free ranged before I decided what I wanted to do. It's 4 years later, I've lost a few but my two roosters a great protectors. They have an awesome life foraging 5 acres.

The biggest con I have seen when keeping chickens in an enclosure is how they destroy the land in that one spot and create so much mud. Which of course can bring disease and parasites. I personally have chosen to free range my flock because I see how much healthier they are that way (eating lots of vegetation and bugs, without damaging the land). I also protect them with a good farm dog, lots of bushes and tall trees and limited open spaces for aerial predators to have enough room to descend. I have never had any disease or parasites in my flock, and never any predator attacks. I am grateful to be able to free range my chickens.

It’s something I’ve always been torn about but I would rather have a short, happy life than a long, miserable one. Mine have a fenced in acre, three dogs, lots of trees and shrubs, four very protective roosters and I’m home all day. They go into their coups at night. The only loss was when one hid in the cedar tree instead of going inside. There is just a happiness from seeing my big, grassy yard full of chickens doing what they love to do.

the day was sunny, I and my daughter let the chickens out to forage a bit. It’s so fun to see them scratch around for the occasional earthworm (what a prize!). Then I noticed that they all had gone back into the far corner under their coop. We thought, that’s strange. Then we realized that the song birds were quiet. Looking up, there was a hawk and a vulture circling above. Whoa, we closed up the coop fast. The raptors finally left and the song birds started up their song again. Bird brains are so under-rated. 😊

I was letting my chickens free range until I noticed hawks were taking notice and starting to spend more time circling our yard. I have the Omlet runs which give the chickens about 18 square feet per chicken, but I often feel guilty that they don't get out into our open yard as much. But they're my babies and I would be devastated to lose any of them. :(

@MosaicHomestead

8 ай бұрын

Get a guard goose 🪿, I have a guard goose and wild jungle roosters, those are hawk killers lol. Hawks have left since my African goose has grown.

The drone in the sky at 8:41 freaked me out for a second.

@WelcometoChickenlandia

8 ай бұрын

I'm not saying it was aliens, but it was definitely aliens! 👽🐔😉

@imperfectpairing2000

2 ай бұрын

We had just watched the trailer for Nope when we saw this video. lol. UFO sighted!

This feels similar to the indoor/outdoor cat debate. People have strong opinions either way and everyone should do exactly what they feel is best. You do a FABULOUS job weighing out both options, thank you!

@acdcacres

8 ай бұрын

Yes, that debate can get heated!

@sakuramoonas

8 ай бұрын

The only thing with that is chickens aren't capable of eradicating a certain species of birds or animals.

@WelcometoChickenlandia

8 ай бұрын

You’re so welcome!

We had chicken in our city backyard. We lost 2 from a hawk attack. We have a large enclosure now. It's very heartbreaking 😢😢

I love this. I keep my flock in a predator proof, enclosed run, and I let them out to run around my backyard twice a day for a couple hours when I'm home to stay out with them and watch them. They know our routine, and they're happy, but sometimes I feel bad that they can't be out all day long. My husband always remind me that they're safe and loved, and that's all that matters.

We free range from early morning to dark, when our chickens get locked up in a 20' x 30' very secure coop at night. Fortunately, we also have horses, guinea fowl, and a hog on our property where the chickens roam. We weighed the pros and cons and decided this is best for us and our flock. Everyone should do what is best for them and their flock, free range or not. Happy, safe, loved birds are best. 🐓🐔🐥

Dahlia has to not only worry about predators. She got aliens trying to abduct them 8:41

@WelcometoChickenlandia

8 ай бұрын

LOL I love it when someone catches that. I'm laughing so hard right now!!! 🤣🐔👽🛸❤️

I have 2 girls and plan to add 2 more next spring. My girls must stay in their run. I’m in Alabama. We have coyotes, raccoons, bobcats, fox, but most of all, I have a Great Pyr named Duke that would love to chase them and eat them. My hens do not know any other life and they are happy. They have plenty of food and water, treats, a fan to keep them cool, and did I mention treats? 😂 I could not have them otherwise. I clean their yard every day, and I spray once a month with LAB. I really happy they are here. 😊

True story: 17 yrs ago, in FL, my partner and I had chickens in our backyard and we had the house for sale because we were buying one in another county, in a more rural setting. The chickens were kept in a roomy fenced in area. As we were driving away to check how things were going with the new house, we were discussing whether or not to free range at the new house. We agreed that it was so beautiful to see chickens free on a property and I agree with the greater variety of foraging and healthy eggs. As we were driving into the property and surveying our new coops and runs, with no chickens in them yet. Front and center was a hawk perching on top of one of the pens. We drove back to the old house and sitting on top of our pen, was a hawk. Right then and there, we made the decision never to free range. I have friends who have had chickens carried off during the day by hawks, foxes, and coyotes. Free range just doesn't work for me.

I free ranged for years with no predators the last year a red tail hawk killed one of my hens. So I had to stop free ranging but I do let them free range supervised. I am out with them and they get out several times a day. So they get to enjoy the grasses and running around. My run is covered with chicken wire so nothing can get under the fencing or over the top.

My Flock gets out about twice a month when my friend and I can watch them. They stay out about an hour and they love it. I am going to add on to my chicken run. Thank you for sharing. You have given me great ideas for the new part of my run.

With aerial predators, natural predators and local dogs it is important to provide lots of safe space either way. I like your diplomacy, Dahlia

I was brand new this year. Never knew anything about chickens. WE DID ALL the research before. We watched videos on coops, runs, breeds, food, diseases, anything and everything. We got all docile breeds, we got all cold hearty because we live in Michigan, and chickens that will do good in a large run to start. We now are preparing to make our GIGANTIC FREE RANGE ENCLOSED, aviation netting covered area. We are also preparing for a permanent run for our meat chickens. I know people think we are crazy but I do not care. We chose this responsibility and we love every one of our chickens. Our meat birds are living a life of luxury the short time they have. I am heartbroken because we lost our first one, an egg layer, only 16 weeks (yes, I did take her to a chicken vet) there was nothing that could be done she broke her legs during a severe thunderstorm she fell off top bar was all we could think of she ended up with nerve damage that was unrecoverable from. I cried so hard and that veterinarian office was incredible. Anyone that is getting into raising chickens DO YOUR RESEARCH ! Don't just get a breed because you have your heart set on it. Understand you have maintenence. I clean my run 3 times a day and I scrub down my roost every other day. We put extra flooring that we had so we could wash the walls. We take out healthy treats and sit with them 3 - 4 times a day to have chickens that love us back. Today was broccoli piñata. I roam my land looking for grubs, worms and crickets. I scrub down their food and water every couple days. We are installing a heated water system for winter, we have a feeding system ready to go as soon as all of them can eat the same food. Our olive egger just laid her first egg (the evening of having to put cinnamon down) and I screamed at the top of my lungs we were so excited and thanked her lol (as they were going to bed). It is as much joy as you make it by putting in the research, time, effort. We did not want to have to make changes early on. For first time chicken parents as of right now our only regret is that we didn't order sooner because we were unsure of the timeline. We have a couple more we wanted so now we are ready to place our order with the hatcheries and we will make the drive to pick them up versus shipping. Good luck to every chicken parent.

@rebeccaplumlee9601

7 ай бұрын

Wow. Overboard. But it's what u choose

@surgicaltechcrafter2169

7 ай бұрын

@rebeccaplumlee9601 Yep, that's why my animals live their best lives with us. That's why we both have great jobs and take care of our responsibilities. That's why I have customers lined up for our Eggs including a baker. We have customers lined up for our meat chickens and turkey's. My Co workers have purchased freezers to buy in quantities. I am PROUD of my "OVERBOARD"

@katharinecox5200

2 ай бұрын

The only thing I can think of to add to your meticulous care is ni-night songs when your babies go to roost My granddaughter and I make up songs for my chickens and freestyle it every evening. The chickens are veeeery tolerant 😊😊😊

We are building a huge run for our chickens and have a small temporary one for the moment. We let them out to free range while my husband was working up there and something came up and got one of my roosters and 4 hens in broad daylight while he was right there. The predator(s) seemed to know because he was making noise that he couldn’t hear it happening. My border collie was with him too. I feel so awful that I let them get attacked(it took us two hours plus to find those that ran and hid), because I thought they were safe. We are finishing the run this weekend with hardwire mesh 8 ft high, boards at the bottom/middle/top and 2 inch x 1 inch wire under mesh the sand inside and outside for digging predators. Partial roof and netting over the run. Their coop is in the center of it as well so extra protection around it. Thank you Dahlia for doing this video, I wish I could free range them all the time. It is just too dangerous where we live😢. I know even in a run, they are living a better life than in a commercial facility for sure.

@WelcometoChickenlandia

8 ай бұрын

I'm so sorry for your losses! These predators are very smart. It happens to the best of us. ❤️

We free-range during the day, then put them back in a small enclosed run near the end of the day. We didn't have any buried wire mesh and lost a couple of hens earlier this year. Some buried fencing has stopped a couple of attacks since and a live trap helps thin out the local racoon population.

My chickens are my pets. I only have 6 so I'm very close to all of them. To me it's literally like having a pet dog or cat. I would be absolutely devastated if something happened to them. They are in a sizable enclosure for the majority of the day and I take them out for a walk in the yard for an hour in the morning and evening while I'm with them to keep watch

I had an article years ago in Mother Earth news that described a chicken moat around your garden. It was an inside fence 6ft tall, and an outside fence 6ft out from the inside fence. This double fence did dual duty. It kept the chickens safe and also kept the deer out. They didn't have netting over the top, because supposedly a hawk wouldn't be able to grab a chicken and exit in that narrow a space (maybe true, maybe not). They also added a taller post on the outside fence with rope or wire across. Supposedly deer would not jump that. (again, maybe true, maybe not). I have lots of deer and predators out here. So far, I have not built my chicken coop, or a moat or anything else. From my neighbors bad experiences, I know it needs to be built like Fort Knox. Still doing my research on the best and safest designs. Thank you for all the good info!

Oh my goodness, we had just inherited 3 old chickens & only had hours to quickly erect a coop w/ a run using just the materials we had on hand. Within the week though, we had a terrible raccoon attack that led to 2 hen fatalities.😣 Horrible guilt ensued, so we quickly enclosed the run & now have added 9 more chickies. The learning curve can be rough, and your advice is great!! We still feel bad about the loss, but we are now very on top of their safety! 👍🏻🐓

@seriouslynow22

8 ай бұрын

It is rough. I lost my Mollie, an Easter Egger just weeks ago. Her eggs had gotten really big ,with beautiful shells. I am still mad. But my chickens want to be free. They choose to free range. I won't go into how this happened, but I feel horrible. She was a bitch, but I loved her as part of my original chicken family 19 months ago, part of my original TSC flock. It hurts. I am so sorry for your loss.

I started gun-ho by making a hay wagon into what can only be described as a gypsy wagon. Used "goat panels" from Tractor Supply Center (TSC), bending 3 into arching shape for roof and sides while cutting a couple others using heavy duty fence cutters into ends and front. Doubled fence wire into twisty attachers that really were a pain in the butt throughout the whole structure. Where possible, used heavy semi-truck rubber straps to attach a door, front ends to arched sides and same for back. Bought a wood floor simulated vinyl floor to put in the bottom of the wagon as a joke. Did make it easier on those "shovel out" days with the sawdust covering the vinyl. The goat fence panels made it easy to hang roosts, hen boxes, feeders and waters using double snaps and chains. Hens were happy, I was proud and all was protected at night...oh yeah, the girls had to learn to walk up a carpeted dog car ramp to access the top of a Lifetime plastic 6' folding table that was flush up against the entrance. This happy wagon was covered with heavy, heavy implement cover that had a white underneath. This tarp covered the arch area of wagon and extended over the ends. Bad storms and winds did not penetrate but come early winter, I had to move the flock to inside my livestock barn regardless is the pony and goats liked it. I moved the wagon about every 3 days to different areas of our big front yard and my one pasture. All was surrounded with a solar web 4 1/2' fence from a catalog fence company out in Iowa....boy, do they have the inventory. I bought the black plastic fence cover used for fruit trees to attach to the "gypsy wagon" and keep hawks out during the day. I firmly believe though that my huge black Australorps that number 2 to 1 over all other breeds I own combined, well I honestly think the hawks see them as big fat crows and therefore do not try to attack. I did teach my girls though that other hanging feed trays and waterers are located under the hay wagon, so they always see that area as a refuge and I do have a 20" skirt hanging down from bottom of wagon to give the girls a place to run under to escape any winged predator. My main hiccup though....I truly got physically tired carrying the feed supplies and such up on top that table (porch to wagon) and on into the wagon. Sure I could move girls around to "free range under cover" within the solar fence, but it was truly hard work. And getting in and out of a hot wired solar fence, well that gets old too. I feel like I'm running a wagon VRBO for hens and it takes work.

My brother-in-law free ranges his chickens. They go into the woods and he doesn't worry about them. He thinks we're ridiculous because we don't. I have an enclosed run and I have a chunnel off of it. I know they would be happier to free-range but I just can't take the risk because I only have seven hens and I too am protective and sensitive to loss. I just give them the best life possible while lowering the risk. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Thank you very informative.

I got a chicken tractor and a movable enclosure. While I am at work or away they are in their permanent coop/run. When I am home they are out in the tractor or portable run. At night they go back to their permanent run. The permanent run is predator proof.

We have packs of bobcats here. My chickens are in an enclosed run with a couple feet of hard wire mesh surrounding all sides, and it will stay that way. Used to have a regular trash panda around here too. The chickens get greens and seeds and stuff every day from me. Their young and happy.

@WelcometoChickenlandia

8 ай бұрын

Gotta love those trash pandas! 🗑️🐼

The other day we got a news report that said in Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio back yard chickens are causing salmonella 🤦‍♀️. Inproper handling was the reasoning. It's so frustrating to see all these reports that cause people to not want to try having them

A brilliant video outlining the pros and cons of both approaches. Both my husband and I are like you in that our chickens are our pets and we suffer tremendously when one of our girls passes away. They provide us so much beyond a few tasty eggs including mental health support and entertainment. We keep them in an enclosed run but let them out to free range the garden two or three times a day but they are only out of their run when we are in the garden (that is a lot though 😆). I feel they get the best of both worlds. Not everyone can do that of course. We are lucky because we work from home and can be out before and after work and at lunchtimes too. Also, because I am seriously into gardening and growing fruit and veg, I do spend lots of time in the garden. The girls are often my ground maintenance crew 🥴. Your flock is happy and healthy and a testament to excellent chicken (and duck) keeping. Much love from Scotland. Mags 🌻

@katharinecox5200

2 ай бұрын

I'm putting in a new garden to feed my chickens more healthy treats 😊.

I like to think I have a balance between the 2. I have a mobile coop and an electric fence that I move once a week during the warm weather. They will have a stationary coop with a fenced run for the winter. So far ( this is 1st year) everyone is healthy and happy and no parasites or disease. Oh and beautiful dark yolks with thick whites for their eggs.

It’s our first year having chickens and although they have a closed run it’s not as big as we’d like so we do let them free range the majority of the day, esp bc our dog is out there a lot and scares off a lot of predators, but we are planning on expanding the run so our chickie-ladies are happy and safe, esp when we are not home. Thank you for your insights as always!

Our ducks free range but my chickens are criminals 🙃 They trespass the neighbors yard constantly so they stay in our omlet coop that I move everyday. I would love to free range the chickens but there’s only so much I can do to keep them in the yard. I think it just depends on the situation. So long as they are loved and cared for!

I totally agree with you! We have ten ladies and can’t free range because although we have 11 acres, we also have many foxes, giant hawks, mountain lions, and families of black bear. Free ranging isn’t a good idea for us. That said… what on earth… or rather off earth… was that ufo?! 😂

@WelcometoChickenlandia

8 ай бұрын

🤪❤️🛸🐔👽

Im not willing to risk any flock member but I do allow limited free range in a small portion of the yard that has plenty of protection and I am outside during that time. I think we all need time outside with our chickens so supervised free range daily for us! Our runs are 20 x 10 + 5 coops, covered in netting and shade cloth. No factory farms is my dream and goal too!

I like you so much, because you DO care. I watch your videos because -( well, first of all- they’re FUN!) - but- you are very knowledgeable. I never name my chickens, ( but my kids have, when it’s just too obvious!) and I dont always look super closely at them, but I’ve learned a lot from you, and appreciate your content very much! 🙂❤️

@WelcometoChickenlandia

8 ай бұрын

Yay! Thank you so much!

I free range my chickens only lost 2 chickens In last 4 years . Still learning and don't look down on people that don't free range. When I started keeping chickens you was frist video I watched and help me so much on keeping chickens. I think my chickens are happy maybe to much happy. . We need more people like you letting everyone know the good things and bad things about keeping chickens. Was not for you don't think I would have gotten chickens.

Thank you for this video! We had our flock (with rooster) free ranging on our 3 acres. We have a livestock guardian dog who was outsmarted by 2 red fox. One fox distracted the dog and one fox got a chicken 😢. We now have a huge fenced and netted run for them. Was such a hard decision because they were SO happy free ranging but we had to do what was best to keep them safe!

@WeeLee64

8 ай бұрын

Same here. It's heartbreaking.

Six hens were picked off and then the rooster. Two hens left. Ha had to have fought incredibly hard as the debris field was massive! I have protected hens also inside covered runs. These were extras I allowed to free range.

I absolutely 💯 love your channel! I Free range a few hours a day. I have a garden otherwise they would be out all day! Their run is super large as well. In Mexico my father NEVER had an enclosed space for his chickens. He would say it’s the circle. He did keep lots of roosters and dogs.

Finn Hill, here, kirkland, Wa. We've just lost 2 cats to coyotes. We had a Bob tailed racoon kill two hens for sport. (A neighborhood consensus was taken, racoon shot). We all have backyard farms, and animals up here, but less homes for predators brings them into our back yards. I free-range if I'm outside. We built a better coop/run. Gals are hanging out in run, even with the gate wide open. They feel safer, I guess. Vaccinated all babies for mereks. Got fowl pox/avian flu vaccine, and Newcastles vaccine I'm gonna share with chicken neighbors this weekend. Bless you, and Chickenlandia Forever!

I free-range but only with me around. The dogs keep the large predators away for the most part but the hawks found us quickly. I had to start by wearing a brightly colored shirt and walking around with a stick while the hens foraged. It took awhile of being dive-bombed and waving my stick but the hawks got the message. The golden eagles haven’t bothered us much and I learned from a bird sanctuary that the vultures only look for carrion so, the girls have gotten more and more time outside, as long as I’m working and moving around. I also put the four dogs in the fenced in part of the property which keep the raptors at bay. Their run will never be large like yours so they need time to run around and they love it!

Okay hold the video! First I had to go get my coffee and secondly as a video is rolling I'm watching and I'm seeing the chickens dust bathing in the holes in the yard. I thought my chickens made a mess! LMAO! And it always seem to make those divots in the yard right where I need to walk LOL

@WelcometoChickenlandia

8 ай бұрын

I think mine are trying to dig to China! 😂❤️

Like you said it is very expensive for someone that makes a big run for the chicken. It depends on the area that you live in and what the predator numbers are, there are a lot of variables if someone can or can't free range. People on both sides of the fence needs to take that into consideration before they start yelling at the people that don't either believe or just don't do it the same way as what you do it. Just have fun with your chickens enjoy the eggs that they give you and stop worrying about how every body else is raising their chickens

your enclosed run is larger than my entire back yard lol... I just got chickens and do plan on letting them free range in my back yard, and its not possible to enclose with a net.. and I understand the risks but I think its overall healthier for the chickens. I have 2 dogs, and I'm not allowed roosters because I live in a communist long island town... but hopefully it works out!

No judgment No condemnation No guilt. We are here to learn not to judge. Let's be kind to one another. Judging others makes you age faster.

My chickens, ducks and geese lead a double life! 🐔 They are sometimes free range and sometimes not. I have an Extremely large run/coop and on days when I'm not home they stay inside. I also keep them penned more often when I know there are coyotes around. If I do have to pen them for an extended period of time I will bring wheelbarrow loads of dead, dry leaves and loose dirt to dump in their coop so they will have something fresh to scratch around in. I also have boards and blocks, etc in the coop/run and will move those so the birds can get the worms/bugs underneath. And I have my own mealworm farm so my birds get mealworm treats every so often. The only predators I have to deal with (so far) are hawks and coyotes. Hawks hate crows so anytime I hear a hawk I will caw like a crow and they immediately fly away. I've had Possums, skunks and snakes in my chicken yard in the past and will usually use my freedom stick to dispatch them.

I have a small traveling coop/run for my six chickens (a gift from Hubs before we even got chicks) but I feel badly they don’t have more room since we have ten acres. I give them scratch and things to do. Hubs won’t let me have a covered dog run I could drag around so they could free-range all day. So, I let them out twice a day to free range while I work outside. The hawks found us and that was scary but I wear colors and they fly away when they see me. I hear them in the distance, complaining. Today, it was two eagles. I waved and shouted and they flew off. The girls (3 months old) are learning to follow me around or they’ll stay under the huge cedar or our Gator if I’m going back and forth to the barn. It’s very cute! Our dogs are Retrievers and a Heeler who would try to herd them so no go there. The dogs DO keep many predators like foxes and coyotes away.

Your enclosed run is bigger than my ‘free range’ garden!!

Mobile coops are another option. We have a small 8 x12 one that we have fully enclosed in hardware cloth, anti dig protection, metal roof & electric fencing. That's where they sleep at night. The other is 12x20 and they are there during the day - it has a tarp on the roof now, but the metal is purchased for a roof install this fall. It connects to the small coop with a chunnel. It stays in place for about 2 weeks and then we move it to the other side of the small coop so they get a fresh place to be during the day. After a month, we move both coops to fresh, new grass for both coops.

I live in the burbs, but I had to chase a large hawk out of my yard that was stalking my small dogs.

Love that you just want to inform and make the world a better place one chicken at a time :)

Great info as all ways thank you for all you do. We love you.

We have a backyard flock. They free range. Our oldest turned 5-years old last November. We live in a development that has one side of our yard facing an open field. A walk path is next to our home on the same side. We have been fortunate on the predictors and hope that never changes. We saw an occasional fox way in the distance in that field. We do wonder if the people walking that path has helped from the ground predators as they walk dogs etc. My wife does daycare from home and from time to time you have parents walking their kids. The kids always want to see the chickens and the wife always makes a point to catch one so the kids can visit and pet them. So rewarding. ❤. Our loses at this point have been what I would say is they are getting older. We noticed molting takes longer for the older ones too. Anyway I’ll quit rambling on. I love watching your videos. Take care. ❤❤❤

Great video. By the way, the editor had some fun and added a UFO in the sky at 8"40. That was fun.

@WelcometoChickenlandia

7 ай бұрын

👽🐔❤️

Thank you for the video, my flock is free range in backyard in the day but is a very secure coop/run at night. Never have fly issues or health issues... so far.

We have an inside run and an outside run.....depending on the weather here in MN but both are built like Ft. Knox and very critter-proof! It makes our chickens so much more at ease..we also have the netting over the top of our runs.....like you....wouldn't have it any other way because of predators. Thank you for the nice video! :) Dawn @ Rich & Dawn in MN :)

From day one I have free ranged. I do live on 10 acres so I have plenty of room for my 18 hens and 3 Roos. HOWEVER, we are making plans to build a run because these lovely creatures all think they are my babies and hang out by my front and back door lol. The poop is and has been a real issue. I have 4 dogs and 2 cats and everyone gets along fine, the dogs are great at watching over the chickens. But we do have hawks that are a little too close for comfort. So a large area will be built for them with netting on top. I just hope they don’t hate me for it 😂🤦🏼‍♀️💜

@WelcometoChickenlandia

8 ай бұрын

They may lay on the guilt at first but they can be coerced to forgive with treats! ❤️

@katharinecox5200

2 ай бұрын

Sounds like our situation

I tried to give my chickens the best of both worlds. They have a very large enclosed run and beyond that is a fenced in chicken garden. I let them in the chicken garden when I'm out there so I can keep an eye on them. I also will take my chickens for a walk periodically around the property and I have two dogs that love to keep them safe. But I won't let them free range unsupervised. We have hawks, eagles, and coyotes to name a few predators. I have used masonry blocks, cement, hardware cloth to predator proof the areas that I leave them in when they're alone. Next year we plan on adding aviary netting to the chicken garden so that will give them more room to rome. I agree free-ranging is the best however I love my chickens too much to allow nature to take its course.

You have a amazing space for your chickens, nice big and predator proof, but some people keep chickens in a shoe size coop with a bird cage run, this for me is unacceptable. Here at Chicken sandwich landia, we know death and taxes are the only certainty in life, so I free range my chickens with a bite your ass guard goose, I've had good luck with killer assassin, thats the goose lol

i used to free range but i lost too many chickens. it was almost as if word got out among the critters in the neighborhood that our yard was a great place to get a free meal. now i have them in 3 separate runs. i havent lost any since but i kind of miss having them coming up to my bedroom window for a treat and following me around the yard

I was at tractor supply a.k.a my favorite store, and I was looking at the chicken books and then my eyes popped out of my head when I saw Dalia's book. so I snatched it up and RAN to the checkout to buy it. Dalia is my favorite KZread EVER, I just got eight chicks abut a week ago and Dalia's book has EVERTHING I need! so thank you Dalia!

@WelcometoChickenlandia

5 ай бұрын

🥰🥰🥰

Love the way you handled this in a non-judgmental way. I wish more people in the chicken world would follow you example when they are talking about whether or not to heat your coop. There are people out there that tell you absolutely that you should not, while there are scientific sources like that U of MN that say chickens are vulnerable to frostbite and other undesirable conditions below 35 degrees. They consider themselves "know it alls" about chickens, when no one really knows it all about anything.

This video is an example of why I love you so much. Thank you!

@WelcometoChickenlandia

8 ай бұрын

You're so welcome!

A great compromise is to supervise their free-ranging activities. And clearly the number of chickens you have makes all the difference. I allow free-ranging and I am very aware of the predator pressure, sounds and the like. I also have a dog that I let out (while they are locked up of course). What he does is mark the entire perimeter of the yard 🤣🤣and is quite vocal. I am sure this helps somewhat at warding off critters.

I use an electric fence to keep out the land predators. It is my first line of defense. And your comment of no factory farms...yes! Let's all keep chickens and make the world a better place.

Ty chickenlandia. You always have great advice abt how to keep chickens healthy and safe.

I let my girls free range...that being said, I am nervous to the overhead predators and can't bring myself to cage them after they've run free for so long. I'm always sad when I see folks who pen their chickens in tiny enclosures....I mean the little ones bought from the farm stores as kits...no judgement, but what a sad life for a chicken. I absolutely love my girls and I'm certain they love me...because I bring them food! and I'm just lovable. My husband says I look like a pigeon lady in Central Park...oh well! :) He loves me too! Thanks for sharing and great way to present the information on both sides.

Great tips and thoughtful information. Btw, your electrolyte recipe saved Mini Pearl 🥰 I was so worried about her. I instantly looked up the recipe in my copy of your book. Thank you for publishing it.

Always love your ability to see the pros and cons of various different ways to keep chickens! It has really helped me make choices for my own flock. I have a very similar (though smaller scale) version of Chickenlandia in my backyard for my 12 ladies, and we LOVE the setup! Thank you for the inspiration, and making chicken keeping feel so accessible to us all! :)

Good coverage of the pros and cons of both approaches.

I had a raccoon in my coop a few months ago, taking a nap in a nesting box, I don’t know how it got in there but it wasn’t in there in the morning when I let every out into their run. It had a nice breakfast of about 5 eggs first, when I opened the coop door and found it their were hens in there upset they couldn’t get in that box. I had to do the unthinkable (or my husband had too). But I learned a lot through that and was grateful it only had some eggs, cause those girls did not see the danger!

In the South of England (where I’m from) we have much fewer predators than in America. We have a few birds of prey but they are fairly small, I think the largest are owls which tend to hunt at night. Not sure if they would go for a chicken, maybe bantams. We have some snakes but most are rare, the only common ones are grass snakes which can get to 1.5m long. We have foxes, badgers and rats, but apart from that I think our main predator is pet dogs and cats!! No coyotes, wolves, bears, eagles, possums, big snakes, polecats, raccoons and all the other things you guys might encounter! Americans in particular have a lot to watch out for to protect their chickens.

Dahlia, this video is so timely! So thankful for you! I'm in my 3rd year of chicken keeping and love my chickens to pieces. We have the ability to free range/pasture raise our chickens on both pasture and in a wooded area (about 3 acres total fenced area). I deal with the awful losses to predators similarly, so I've been debating whether ir not I should keep them in an enclosed run during this time of year. You gave me the clarity of thought I needed going forward: Scarecrow goes up today, with LGD on deck as soon as possible. Thank you for your invaluable channel!❤

I so appreciate your content! What you provide and the way you provide it is what people who care for their flock need. Thank you for giving information from your knowledge & heart.

I free range, my chickens go into a coop every evening at 6ish. The first warm and sunny day of the year a hawk swooped down 6 ft away from me and my border collie (whom has not been trained for this) jolted at the hawk and saved the day. Point is that hawk was not phased by me at all! It was the dog it was afraid of. Now if i say to my husband "is that a hawk over there?" my dog goes insane!

My chickens have a large enclosed run which they have eaten every blade of grass, so I also let them out everyday into another larger fenced-in grassy area without netting for about an hour couple times a day so they can get grass, but I stay out there with them and watch.

Depends a lot on your property. Here on the farm, we free range. We’ve one chicken to a predator over many years and she was a wanderer and never stuck with the flock.

I prefer to free range. I do lose a few over the course of a year, but they are more than replaced every spring with the new hatch. The flock always lives on. Most of my birds still end up living a long, full life though. And I know they sure enjoy ranging about my farm. There is no right or wrong answer to this question. It just depends on on you, and your flock.

Amen sister!

My husband and I replayed the 🛸 scene several times for funsies, thanks!!👽🐔

@WelcometoChickenlandia

8 ай бұрын

The truth is out there! 😂❤️👽🐔🛸

One week ago my flock of five girls were all killed by two dogs that got loose. They were my first flock and they gave me so much joy. I’m devastated beyond belief. I did not handle it well at all! The dogs were quite big and jumped over a chain link fence. I live in town and have to figure out how to protect them from dogs now. I’m not sure how to fortify my yard just yet. I had my girls for three and a half years. It’s like a bad dream that they’re gone 😢

@WelcometoChickenlandia

8 ай бұрын

I’m so very sorry that happened. ❤️ I hope you can find some peace knowing what a wonderful life they experienced with you. 🐔❤️

@stephmartinez701

8 ай бұрын

@@WelcometoChickenlandia Thank you so much for saying that. I’m an emotional wreck. The dogs were still in my backyard when I went out. It was so scary. Animal control caught them immediately. I was screaming and crying so hard. I’ve never panicked that much in my entire life. I’m getting new chicks this weekend to fill the void. I can’t believe this happened. I’m so heartbroken. I loved them so much. In my delirious state I was holding my girl Loretta and I called a taxidermist to see if I could have her preserved. Thank god it was cost prohibitive ($500) or I would have a stuffed chicken 🫣

@WelcometoChickenlandia

8 ай бұрын

@@stephmartinez701 aww! My friend had hers stuffed and I think she kinda regretted it. 😂❤️

I'm in the 'burbs, & hawks are my main predators. My girls have the back yard, but not covered. However, the entire back fence line has trees that they spend their days underneath.. 🐔❤🐔

Thank you as always, your videos help me so much! This is great and perfect timing for us!

I mostly keep my chickens penned in a covered enclosure with a lot of enrichment, but I do free-range occasionally, and I've definitely lost a few over the years. I have 5 adult roosters, goats, and a dog who is usually outside. Since I have had roosters, I have definitely not lost as many!! My end goal is definitely a large covered run like yours, but right now I can't do that.

I love your posts. Thank you for sharing your experience. Couldn’t agree with you more, no judgement, we all way up our own risk to give our chickens the happiest longest life we can… Factory farming is the antithesis to that ❤

Your videos always make me feel like I'm doing ok by my chickens ❤️ I thought I had support around me when I first started but the eggsperts treated me as if I was neurotic for caring about 'just a chicken'-this wasn't helpful and when I went against my gut instinct and took their advice, I had problems. It is good to have a president we can rely on ❤❤❤ I have my pekins in an omlet walk in run which I add on to when I can afford it but I let them out to forage when I am there to watch them.

My first 3 chickens were production brown layers (I knew there were cool breeds but I didn't know where i could get them here in UK) we had divided our garden into 3 sections (quite large for a average housing estate garden) they had a coop and the bottom section that was not covered but we had to clip their wings (required by our council) we then were informed by authorities that bird flu outbreak required us to have them in a run to stop wild birds mixing with them so our next lot of chickens ((polish, Silkie, gold top bantam hens) we built a covered walk in run onto a shed /big as possible, first year or two they didn't want to come out (when allowed ai) now they come out when im in my veg patches enjoying both, each situation is different and all we can do is do our best, like you say better than supporting factory chickens, more people should be allowed to have them wherever they are, I had ducks for 3 years and they didn't bother anyone but cos they are classed as livestock i was forced to re-home them 😢♥️👋🇬🇧

It’s always such a trade-off either way. My chickens free range and they’re SO happy and their eggs taste amazing. However predator attacks are inevitable. My livestock guardian dogs have cut down on losses drastically, but they still happen.

You are wonderful. Thank you for all you do, and to see happy chickens!

I like the setup you have now. I also had to predator-proof my pen and lock their coop doors at night. They have a lot of space. I wish they could free range but too many predators.

I know how you feel about guilt. My friends think im nuts but one of my babies had bumblefoot and 600 dollars later i fin ally found a vet that fixed her foot. I couldnt just let her die. I would have been. Cosumed with Guilt

We let our chickens free range 2x a day with our watchful eye. We love being outside anyway so why not sit with some chickens?! They love following me around so that I can turn over rocks and other things so they can get bugs and worms. I just love watching them and I understand if others do not have the time to do this for their chickens. It's okay to do what works for you.

We have free range are chicken for the last 3 yes we lost a few the beginning of this yr we had a raccoon investigation . One thing I can say is are chicken seam happy

Excellent video! I let my chickens free rang 3-4 hrs most days. I am there with my dog to supervise. They are in a enclosed run most of the time tho. But they have lots of distractions to keep them busy. I keep a clean run and coop so I don't worry too much about them.

I’ve a neighbor who lets her chickens, turkeys, ducks, goats and bunnies free range- only the dog is penned up 24 hrs a day! And yes, there are losses, makes me sad… and upset.

I have my chickens in a huge run. We have lots of predators around and neighbors. My neighbors free range their chickens. They go in everyone’s yard and tear things up. I don’t think it’s very neighborly to allow your livestock to ruin everyone else’s hard work in their yards. It’s great if you have lots of land but if not fence your babies up.

Thanks for this. We recently moved from free range to a penned in area that's very large (more than a 1000 square feet), but doesn't have netting overhead. I hadn't thought of racoons scaling my fence. I'll probably do something about that vulnerability because you mentioned it. Thank you!