I am sure that you realize that your free ranging chickens eat lots of bugs. I was told by a friend that has chickens that they also eat ticks. That is another plus.....

Yeah the ticks are under control,. I save a boat load on feed expenses by free ranging, provided the hawk family stops their terrorism against my defenseless flock. The ''death from above'' hinders my egg production, and the survival rate of my chicks plummet.
Too bad these chickens don't eat mosquitos, I think bats might though, I ought construct some bat houses if that is the case.

We have been only letting ours free range when we are home. They have become too curious, and end up leaving our yard and head up the row. We have been fortunate on the hawk issues, although we have seen a fox from time to time out in the fields behind our home. We usually have the dog out with the chickens. This will hopefully protect them if any foxes decide to visit......

Thanks Floyd. A construction worker told me the same thing today while I was working at market.