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To Free Range or Not

1 December 2011

Hens Scratching Among the Raspberry Plants

I don’t let my hens free range. Free range means to forage in an area that is free of fences. I don’t even know of a place that is totally free of fences. And if I did, I don’t think my hens would last a day. We have hawks flying over daily. The foxes look at our chickens through the wire of the run. A bobcat strolls through our yard a couple times a year, and our chickens have no fear of animals of any kind. But I know that these four hens like to scratch about in my garden. It is good for them to add greens and protein to their diets and it is good for their souls, and mine.

Yesterday, I let the hens out of their run to keep me company as I gardened. The gardening task, for me and hubby, was to cut back the raspberries and the ollalieberries. This also required digging out the runners that were spreading underground. We had been digging a while when I heard the hen softly clucking from behind their fence as we turned over the earth near their run. I knew they saw things in the soil that we didn’t; delicious grubs and worms and pale green sprouts. They were making the sound that a hen makes when they call to their chicks to “come and get it!” Since our young and rambunctious Australian labradoodles were locked up (I wonder if I will ever trust them with the hens), I let the “ladies” out to scratch and dig in the freshly turn soil.

"Herding" Tulip Is Not an Easy Thing to Do

We sat down and watched them, these most beloved pets. Daisy, Sweetpea, and Poppy did not hesitate to rush to the moist overturned soil. Tulip, the Easter Egger, stayed in the run and watched the others. She is a pretty but somewhat timid thing. I tried “herding” her out of the pen but it was nearly impossible. Have you ever tried to herd a chicken? They dash back and forth in front of you and duck between your legs to go in the other direction. Making progress, foot by foot, I knew that when she got close to her sisters she would be fine. And that she was. They were happy to see her, and she them. They scratched, they shared, they enjoyed being chickens.

After a couple of hours, the hens headed back into the run on their own. These hens have lived in a secure fenced-in environment all their lives. While they love getting out into the garden to do their thing, they return to their pen without objection. They have lived a safe and healthy life, living much longer than they would if they were to range free. I’m going to stop feeling sorry for them and share in their joy of occasional freedom.

 

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4 Comments to “To Free Range or Not”

  1. Aimee DickensonDecember 8, 2011 at 10:59 am

    I just LOVE your blog! I’m so glad you were able to let your girls out to forage for a bit. We let ours out daily, if the weather isn’t too miserable. We have a small hobby farm, and so far, have not lost any of our flock to predator or disease (knock on wood!). I think it’s largely in part to our 2 big dogs, Riley, and german shepherd and Hannibal, our Rottweiler. I am surprised that they don’t bother the chickens, but I also chalk this up to their old age. Your raspberries sound DEVINE! We tried planting some this past summer, and they didn’t do anything. Oh, well!

  2. LouiseDecember 10, 2011 at 5:16 pm

    I laughed so hard at the “herding Tulip”! I have six hens and I think if there was a camera in my back yard, I could win millions on America’s Funniest Videos! They are quick and dart at the exact moment that you think you have them going in the right direction! I have figured out that enticing them with yum yums works best! Don’t we all do well with a little bribery? Any way, I let mine out in my yard when I am home. Some days, they hang out in the run by their own choice. Other days, they are happy in the yard but they will dart back into the run at any loud noise or something that spooks them. They are always very brave when doves land in the yard, otherwise, they earned their name, CHICKENS! I have 5 EE’s and 1 Columbian Rock.

  3. LeeDecember 13, 2011 at 7:17 am

    Our dogs are young and I’m not sure when I will trust them with the hens. It took a couple of years for the raspberries to really produce. Be patient. They need water about once a week during the bearing season. Don’t give up! They are worth the trouble!

  4. LeeDecember 13, 2011 at 7:20 am

    Funny how they feel safe in their coop, even when the door is open to the outside. Such skittish creatures. If I really want them to come inside the coop quickly, I just rattle the metal lid to the feed can and they come running!

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