How to Raise Free Range Chickens: 6 Helpful Tips

Whether free-range or pasture-raised, chickens need more care than just being set loose in your backyard and calling it a day. Even if you raise your chickens in a free-range environment, they’ll still need to be cared for and nurtured. Raising free-roaming chickens can be difficult, but luckily, we have some tips and tricks to help you succeed. 

Training

Training free-range chickens to respond to a specific call for feeding and daily care routines is key to successful flock management. Pair a distinctive call with food consistently, and over time, they will learn to associate the sound with the positive experience of eating. Be patient and consistent, and use a distinctive call. It's easier to start training your chickens when they’re still young and receptive to learning.

Shelter

Shelter is essential for a free-range flock to keep them safe from the elements and predators. There are multiple types of shelters that you can use for your free-roaming chickens: a coop, a chicken tractor, a covered run, an elevated house, or even just a simple overhead cover. These options will help your flock thrive while allowing them to roam free. 

Food

While free-range flocks are often self-sufficient regarding food, food supplementing with chicken feed or treats can help ensure your flock stays healthy. Poultry blocks can also be a good treat for your free-range flock, as they can help provide necessary nutrients and keep them busy throughout the day. Additionally, even if your birds spend most of the day free-ranging, it is still important to provide a high quality feed for them so they can get well-rounded nutrition. When utilizing feed with free-range chickens, you need to ensure you use the correct one for your flock. At Kalmbach Feeds, a variety of options are available to ensure you have a feed that fits your flocks’ needs.

Fencing

Generally, if you don’t want your chickens in it, fence it off. For example, if you keep a garden or flowers, use fencing or wire to keep your chickens away from them. Another use of fencing is to protect your flock from predators. You can use fencing, wire, and even an electric fence to keep predators away. You can also consider covering your fencing to protect your flock from aerial predators.

Environment

To ensure the well-being of free-range chickens, it is vital to create an environment that caters to their instincts and promotes their physical and mental health.  This involves providing them with ample opportunities to engage in foraging behavior by allowing access to a diverse range of plants, insects, and other natural food sources. A stimulating environment is equally crucial, and this can be achieved by introducing various elements that encourage activity and exploration. This may include providing a variety of toys specifically designed for poultry, such as hanging treats, pecking balls, or puzzle feeders. Additionally, poultry blocks, which are compressed blocks of feed and minerals, can offer nutritional enrichment and a stimulating activity as the chickens peck at them. Other forms of entertainment could include dust baths, essential for feather maintenance and parasite control, or perches and ramps that encourage exercise and provide opportunities for the chickens to exhibit natural roosting behaviors. By thoughtfully designing their environment and delivering different stimuli, you can ensure that your free-range chickens have active and healthy lifestyles.

Health Checks

Finding a nearby veterinarian, with experience dealing with poultry, is a good idea to ensure your chickens are healthy. Knowing a veterinarian nearby can help ensure you have someone to go to if your flock gets sick or injured. It is also a good idea to keep your chickens up to date on all vaccinations, and have semi-regular checkups to prevent any illnesses before they arise. One way to check if your chickens are healthy, without seeing a veterinarian, is to look at their eyes, comb, feathers, legs/feet, and behavior. With their eyes, a healthy chicken has bright, unclouded eyes without any discharge. Depending on the breed, the comb should be healthy, red or pink, and firm; the comb shouldn’t have any scabs on it. Their feathers should be shiny and not have bald patches; you should also watch for lice and mites. Their legs should be clean and cut-free. If their feet are overly scaled, it can indicate a mite infestation. Healthy chickens are also energetic; they shouldn’t be slow and inactive and should eat regularly. If your flock starts to show signs of being unhealthy, you should take them in for a check-up and point out any concerns to the veterinarian.

Raising free-range chickens can be a rewarding experience if you provide them with proper care and attention. By following these tips on training, shelter, food, fencing, environment, and health, you can help your flock thrive while allowing them to enjoy the freedom of being free-range raised. With a little effort, dedication, and complete nutrition from Kalmbach Feeds, you can create a happy and healthy environment for your free-roaming chickens.