Raising free-range chickens can be challenging, but it's worth it for a sturdier, healthier, and more productive flock. But what makes free-range chickens so desirable, and what special care needs do they have?
What free range means
When chickens or other livestock are "free-range", they are allowed to roam freely, with free access to outdoor areas and fewer restrictions on their general movements and habitats. These animals are not confined to a small house, barn or coop, but instead have a much larger, more enriching space to explore. However, a wide range of interpretations of the definitions of free-range exist, and because there are few legal provisions on what can officially be described as free-range chickens, various farmers, commercial farms, or urban farms may consider their poultry to be free-range. different ways. Depending on the extent to which the birds have a range or what space is available to them, they may also be considered 'pasture', 'old fashioned', 'open raised' or other similar terms, but the challenges and needs of their care are the same. .
Benefits of Free-Range Chickens
There are many benefits to raising free-range chickens. Because the birds are not confined to small areas, they get more exercise, build more muscle and have more protein in their meat than birds with a limited habitat. Free-range chickens also generally have less fat and fewer calories in their meat and eggs, and many consumers believe that free-range chickens and their eggs have a better and richer taste. The birds' improved health makes them more resistant to pests and diseases, although they may be more susceptible to predators such as foxes and raccoons. Because they have more space to roam, free-range chickens tend to have less anxiety, aggression and territorial behavior, even in larger flocks.
The cost of caring for free-range chickens can also be lower than for caged flocks. Because the birds naturally seek out a wide variety of food, there is less need for expensive feed or additional pills. Free-range chickens also provide natural pest control in a garden or landscape, as they pick up all kinds of insects and eat weeds and seeds, and their natural pecking, scratching and digging will aerate and till the soil, while their droppings produce excellent results. fertilizer. A large flock can lead to a messy or damaged yard, so consider that consequence before releasing the birds.
Free-range chicken care tips
Chickens cannot simply be left completely to themselves, even if they are intended to be free-range. Responsible farming requires being aware of the birds' needs and providing them with sufficient resources. There are several steps that every potential chicken breeder or breeder should take to get the most out of their free-range chickens.
- Provide shelter: Even free-range chickens still need shelter and protection from bad weather at night. A good size flock should be available for the flock, or multiple pens can be placed in different areas for a larger flock or to give the birds more choice.
- Maintain the grazing: If chickens roam a pasture or garden, the area must be safely maintained. Dangerous or poisonous plants should be removed, fences secured to keep out predators and the use of chemicals kept to a minimum to prevent pollution.
- Provide additional food: Free-range chickens can forage on their own, but providing supplemental feed can ensure good nutrition and provide important vitamins for a healthy flock. Feed can also be used to train and entice chickens to return to the coop at night for safety.
- Offer enrichment: All animals, even free-range chickens, need mental stimulation to stay alert and healthy. Providing toys, perches and various plants in the chicken's enclosure increases their enrichment for sharp reflexes and better activities.
- Offer a selection of plants: Regardless of where the chickens are located, they need access to a variety of suitable plants for foraging. Various flowers, grasses, clovers, trees and shrubs provide extra stimulation and a better nutritional basis for a healthier herd.
- Deter predators: Stray dogs, feral cats and wild predators such as foxes, raccoons, weasels and other animals can quickly wipe out a flock of free-range chickens. Take steps to protect the birds with secure shelter, strong fencing and other tactics to keep predators at bay.
- Protect chicken-free areas: If some parts of the property, such as a delicate herb garden, special flower beds or young berry bushes, are not intended for chickens, use fencing, wire cover or other methods to keep the birds safely away and to prevent damage from beaks and claws. to be kept to a minimum.
- Keep vaccinations up to date: Free-range chickens are more likely to come into contact with other wildlife, ticks or insects that can transmit infections. Keeping the birds up to date on vaccinations and deworming keeps the entire flock healthier.
- Interact with the package: Because these birds are less confined, they may be less susceptible to human presence than more confined chickens. Make sure the birds can recognize you, as well as your gestures and voice, so they feel familiar and comfortable when you are around.
Every flock of free-range chickens is different and it may take some time to discover what works best for your birds. However, by keeping their best interests in mind and providing a safe, suitable habitat for them to explore, your chicks will have the freedom to reach their highest potential, even when they are free-ranging.
