zmurffi Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 When I get my chickens I would like them to free range when we are around. At the moment I have bird feeders dotted around my garden and feed the birds regularly hence they poop everywhere. Should I stop encouraging the wild birds and move the feeders to the front garden. I know I can't stop birds flying around and landing in the garden naturally but for the chickens health and safety should I stop the feeding. (Am I worrying for nothing again) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 I'd be worried about any food you leave out attracting rats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 I agree, I don't worry about the wild birds. Having feeders out does tend to encourage them to eat that and to leave the chicken feed alone a bit more. However how you feed garden birds can encourage rats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zmurffi Posted July 15, 2009 Author Share Posted July 15, 2009 I have hanging peanut and seed feeders and some half coconuts that I put cake etc in occasionally. Plus use fat balls and blocks. I don't put out any food leavings or anything on the floor or have a bird table. Hasn't attaracted any rats so far (Fingers crossed). I do have a cat but she is 16 and can't seem to be bothered to chase anything so not sure what she would do if we have a rat. Will be good to see her reaction the the chickens Thanks for your comments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon_blackwell1 Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 I'm not sure why wild birds would constiutute a risk to the health and safety of your chickens. I have a wild birdfd feeder hung up in my garden - it doesn't seem to bother the chickens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budgies Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 Simon, wild birds carry diseases and illnesses that can be passed easily to chickens. I lost both my girls and my vet suspected they may have caught infectious bronchitis from wild birds (contact with them or their faeces can transmit the problem). DEFRA stipulates that wire mesh to enclose the chickens should be small enough gauge to prevent wild birds entering the enclosure (say in search of food) and that runs should be roofed over so no waste can drop through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon_blackwell1 Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 Blimey, I did not know that, thanks. My chickens' free ranging area is not roofed at all, and their run is only partially roofed. Not sure how else I can arrange it to be quite honest - not sure I want my garden looking like Fort Knox. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarrensWorld Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 Blimey, I did not know that, thanks. My chickens' free ranging area is not roofed at all, and their run is only partially roofed. Not sure how else I can arrange it to be quite honest - not sure I want my garden looking like Fort Knox. I have to agree with you, I'd rather have the Chooks free ranging. This year nesting in the garden and stable Swallows, Blackbirds. Song Thrush, Dunnock, Robin, Pied Wagtail, Great, Blue and Coal Tits and a Wren. Garden visitors include, Bull, Green and Chaffinch, Gold Crest, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler plus other assorted avians. There's a pair of Kestrels nesting in Canon Morans Scots Pine (about 3/4 of a mile away). We have had A Marsh Harrier, (not since we've had the chooks though) and a visiting Cock Pheasant. We like it this way, the chooks tend to chase them off anyway. Not too sure what they'd do if the Marsh Harrier came back. Still they're not allowed to free range unsupervised anyway, Foxes and Mink. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budgies Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 Blimey, I did not know that, thanks. My chickens' free ranging area is not roofed at all, and their run is only partially roofed. Not sure how else I can arrange it to be quite honest - not sure I want my garden looking like Fort Knox. I used to let my girls free range each day whilst supervised Simon. It's a calculated risk, but it's worth knowing that you ARE taking a risk. I had my girls happy and healthy for three years, then they both became unwell with different conditions and at the end of a week's intensive nursing and daily vet visits, we had to make the horrible decision to have them both put to sleep. That the vet suspected an infection passed on from wild birds may have caused both hens to be ill was pretty significant to me, so I just pass on the info for your consideration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 I understand your point Budgies, but I tend to agree with Simon - chickens are birds too, and personally I like to see them have as much space as possible. our solution is a 50m electric fence, so impossible to roof it over - they will all just have to get on with life! and if it is made shorter by catching something from a wild bird, or getting caught by the fox, or just succumbing to a disease then I guess that's pretty natural (obviously assuming the disease is not something preventable through good management). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budgies Posted July 18, 2009 Share Posted July 18, 2009 Beach Chick, I totally agree, chickens need lots of space and in my opinion, the ability to free range if they're otherwise kept in a small space (which mine did every day). As we all know, overcrowding in particular can lead to lots of behavioural problems. Your set-up sounds wonderful and very enviable!! Please forgive me if I've come across as lecturing in any way - I can assure you that wasn't my intention! I hope that what I'm doing is bringing to people's attention the fact that in doing all those things (which I feel makes for good animal husbandry on a day to day basis), you ARE taking a risk, albeit possibly a small one, which CAN result in the death of your chickens. Personally speaking, I would much rather take an educated decision, knowing the risks, than make an ignorant assumption and suffer the consequences without ever having known there WAS any kind of a risk, but maybe that's just me being uptight!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted July 18, 2009 Share Posted July 18, 2009 no no, not lecturing at all!! just putting the case for risk-taking I spose! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon_blackwell1 Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 Thanks, this is all very helpful. It's important to know all the risks in order to make an informed decision. Didn't think you were lecturing at all. On blalance I will keep them free ranging. If they die prematurely so be it. As long as they are happy I am happy (for as long as it lasts). On the other hand I am in the process of searching for a suitable (silent) air rifle for taking out the feral pigeons that plague my garden so I am at least on the offensive!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 My four free range all day and share their garden with all the wild birds. They do like to hang out underneath the one feeder they can to catch the spilt food. We feed Spotted Woodpeckers, Bullfinches, Nuthatches and Goldfinches as well as the more common species. We have swallows in the eaves, nest cams in a blue tit box and a sparrow box( currently on her third brood) and hubby is busy building swift boxes for next year. I couldn't imagine the garden without wild birds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
