When I brought my first animals home to the farm there was no question in my mind as to whether they would live the life of free range animals.
I wanted my animals to be just as free as I was, free to explore, roam, hunt for food, and live their own life while coexisting with the humans. Free ranging was really the only option in my mind.
The pros of free-ranging outweigh the cons. If you can’t be home to free range the feather and fur babies full-time you can do partial free ranging.
The Pros Of Free Ranging
Happier Animals
For me, happy animals are what farming is all about. They enjoy running, playing, and, more than anything, foraging for their own food and sustenance. Freedom to roam and explore makes them happy. Without it, they can become sad and depressed just like humans do.
I volunteered at aWild Cat Animal Sanctuaryseveral years back in Ohio where we rescued abused and neglected animals like lions, tigers, and bears. To see them get out free ranging was incredible.
Saves Money
Whether your animals are fully free ranged or partially free ranged you can save a lot of money on their animal feed. Running even a small organic farm with a few animals can become expensive when your sole food supply is buying through an organic feed seller.
It’s Healthier
Animals aren’t supposed to be constantly consuming tiny condensed pellets of food. When your animal can get out and forage for the food it needs, it will eat exactly what it should be eating.
2022欧洲杯葡萄牙vs德国动物通常知道什么对它们有好处。例如,狗和猫会吃草——但只有在它们胃不舒服的时候才会吃。农场动物也是如此。2022欧洲杯葡萄牙vs德国(山羊除外——它们什么都吃。)
It’s more than just the food they’re eating that is healthier—it’s the exercise, fresh air, and calm feelings that help them be healthy.
Fewer Insects
When you have chickens, duck, geese, or other insect-eating birds free ranging around the homestead, the amount of insects will decrease greatly. Different birds prefer different insects but it can really help keep down ticks, mosquitos, and other pesky critters.
Better Production
自由放养的鸡、山羊、鸭子和其他任何为农场生产东西的动物通常会有更好的质量的鸡蛋、牛奶等。鸡的产蛋量似乎增加了一些,变得更大一些,鸭子也是如此。山羊奶似乎也更甜一点!
Increased production is also good news for nursing mama goats and cattle. Animals know what they need. They’ve been caring for themselves for much longer than we have been.
The Cons Of Free Ranging
SupervisionIsImportant
Animals can be very much like a toddler no matter what age they are. If you have neighbors or a busy road nearby you will need to keep an eye on the critters or they might just go have a day on the town.
They are curious by nature and need an extra eye.
Free Ranging Animals Will Eat Your Garden
Free range chickens, goats, rabbits, and many other animals will flock to your garden or yard and feast.
它们不吃的东西通常会留下一根线。所以,如果你放养,最好把花园围起来,或者训练它们呆在外面。好运!不管你是有一个小院子还是一个大牧场,只要有一点时间和耐心,这都是可能的。
Dusty Bird Baths
Chickens and other birds like to scratch the grass away to get to the dusty dirt which they then roll and bathe in. It is a pro/con in itself because the dusting helps them stay clean—as strange as that sounds.
Hiding Eggs
Any bird that free ranges, especially a broody mama bird, will make a nest away from home so she can keep her eggs to herself. Again this reverts back to the first con of keeping a close eye on your feathered babies.
Manure
Your free-range animal will poop wherever it feels like. It will likely do so in places you may prefer to keep poop-free, like your deck chairs. This adds clean-up time for you and also makes manure collection harder. It’s a little harder to keep the manure for composting when it’s everywhere.
Predation
The further your animals roam around the perimeter of your property the further their scent will carry allowing predators to pick up their scent.
Without shelter or cover they are more prone to predator attacks. Bigger birds like hawks will scoop a chicken up without a problem—unless the chicken fights them off.
The Happy Medium
You canuse a chicken tractor让鸡有更多的空间自由奔跑,但又有掩护。他们将获得自由和保护。这也使它更容易为花园保存肥料。
Not only is there the option of the tractor but you could also designate a run for them just like we do with dogs. Allow them to have a penned in area to roam about allowing them freedom to graze and enjoy the outdoors, while remaining in a fenced area. It’s a win-win.
Nkuubi Charlessays
I think free-range-chicken systems produce chicken with a better taste and it’s a more enjoyable venture compared to the indoor farming
Honey Tabiquesays
“Free ranging animals will eat your garden.” Haha. That is so true. But all in all, having animals roaming your area does wonders to your soul.