Free-Range Chickens: Top 10 Pros and Cons

If you’re considering keeping chickens or you already have a flock, you may be wondering what it’s like to have free-range chickens. There are several reasons why you would or wouldn’t have free-range backyard chickens. Let’s take a look at 10 pros and cons!

What Are Free-Range Chickens?

Free-range backyard chickens are just that – they’re chickens that have free range to roam outdoors instead of being confined to a cage or their coop and run. It depends on what kind of outdoor environment you have on how much freedom your chickens will have. 

Some chicken keepers may not be able to keep a flock with complete free range or may choose not to. That’s where a mix between confined and free-ranging chickens comes into play. Or, you can always choose to keep your chickens in their coop and run only. The benefits and drawbacks below will help you to decide!

What Are the Benefits of Free-Range Chickens?

If you’re considering free-ranging your chickens, you’ll be happy to hear there are several advantages to this. 

• You may not need to buy as much feed.
• They keep insects and other pests away.
• Smaller chicken coops are okay.
• They can be more active.
• They may have better health.

1. You may not need to buy as much feed.

Free-ranging chickens can find a lot of food in nature. They enjoy things like bugs, grass, or much of anything they can find. Because of this, you won’t need to supply them with as much feed. Of course, it never hurts to make sure there’s food available for them to ensure they’re getting a balanced diet.

You may also be interested in: What Can Chickens Eat? A Guide to Feeding Your Chickens

2. They keep insects and other pests away.

As we mentioned, chickens love bugs and other things found in nature. Lucky for you, that includes insects and other pests! So, if you’re dealing with creatures messing with your plants or that are simply annoying to have around, free-range backyard chickens provide great natural pest control.

3. Smaller chicken coops are okay.

Since free-range chickens spend their time roaming around, there’s no need for ample space for each one in a coop, as you need with more confined backyard chickens. Typically, you need up to 10 square feet for each chicken so that they can comfortably do their business. When your chickens can roam free and are only in the chicken coop for roosting and sleeping, about 2 square feet should be enough space for each chicken.

4. They can be more active.

This one’s pretty simple but an excellent advantage! Your free-ranging backyard chickens are able to move around more than those who stay in their coop and run. Activity is essential for keeping a happy and healthy flock, and you can ensure this for your chickens if they’re able to roam free.

5. They may have better health.

Not only is the ability to be more active good for your chickens’ health, but being in a confined space can also prevent your chickens from catching illnesses from each other. It’s much easier to tend to one sick chicken than several!

What Are the Disadvantages of Free-Range Chickens?

While there are some great upsides to free-ranging chickens, there are also some downsides.

• Your plants might get eaten.
• They might attract more predators.
• Collecting eggs may be more of a challenge.
• They get used to not being in a coop. 
• They could be susceptible to more illnesses.

1. Your plants might get eaten.

So, while your free-range backyard chickens may prevent other creatures from messing with your plants, that doesn’t necessarily mean they won’t eat them. Many chickens enjoy eating flowers and herbs, so you’ll want to chicken-proof your garden if you have one. 

2. They might attract more predators.

One of the most bothersome issues for chicken owners is keeping predators away. Chickens are an easy target for many animals like snakes, foxes, rats, and squirrels. It can be more of a challenge to keep them safe when they have free range. You can use some of these tips for keeping predators away, though many of them apply to chickens only in a coop and run.

3. Collecting eggs may be more of a challenge.

When your flock has access to a large area, collecting eggs can be more of a challenge. It may take you longer to find and collect them than it would if you were looking in just the chicken coop. One trick for encouraging your free-range chickens to lay in specific areas is to place faux eggs in those spaces. 

Interested in a reusable egg carton? Check out these acrylic egg holders decorated with funny sayings!

4. They get used to not being in a coop. 

Once chickens get used to being free-range, they aren’t happy when they do have to go into a coop. So, if you plan to put them in there at night or when you’re away, this is something to keep in mind. You could also prepare for allowing them to be free-range full-time, but you’d probably want to consider getting a guard animal.

5. They could be susceptible to more illnesses.

Earlier we mentioned that having ample outdoor space allows free-ranging chickens to be more active and avoid catching illnesses from each other. However, chickens can also eat something they should when they’re roaming free. While you may not be able to prevent this entirely, you can be mindful of the yard treatment you use.

Having free-range chickens brings advantages and disadvantages. With that said, it’s up to you to do what works best for you and your flock by considering where you live and what you’re able to do in terms of keeping them happy and safe.