Except for two months out of the year that they're in a breeding pen, all of our (MOL 100) birds are 100% free ranged. We are over a half mile from the nearest neighbor, and there is a 10,000 acre wildlife refuge to our south, 320 acres of heavy woods to our north and west, and another 1,000+ acres of mixed woods and fields to the east. There are plenty of critters out there, including Weasel, Raccoon, Skunk, Opossum, Bobcat and Coyote, (plus owls,and hawks) but we haven't lost a bird to predator in years. The secret is to get a big 'ol dog to stay with your birds. We have dairy goats and poultry scattered out in four areas, so we currently have four LGDs; a Komondok, two Anatolians and a young Fila/Anatolian cross in training. (On two acres, one dog should be plenty) You won't need an extravagant, predator proof fence, just one that will hold the dog. True, a decent started dog will run you a couple hundred at the absolute minimum, *BUT* that's considerably less expensive than trying to fence two acres to keep chickens in or raccoons and coyotes out. Try not to get a puppy unless it's at least three months old and was raised with poultry. Great Pyrenees and Anatolian are great breeds, but for the hot and humid area you're from, I'd recommend an Anatolian. Papers and pedigree aren't as important as whether they are from actual working parents and have been exposed to livestock and/or poultry. Check at the local feed store bulletin boards for ads, or ask who is raising sheep or goats in your area, as they're usually the ones with LGDs. Also, do not let anyone talk you into some Labrador/Pyrenees cross or anything crossed with Border collie; while I have no doubt that someone, somewhere has such an animal and it's just the most wonderful beast since sliced bread, the fact is both breeds are woefully unsuited to guard dog duty and without your (almost constant) supervision, will end up being more destructive to your than the local wildlife. Oh, and a good LGD will not kill your house pets, (cat or dog), and while it won't be a lap dog (it's not supposed to be), it *will* bond with your children. Afterall, from the dog's POV they're on the property, therefore, they should also be "looked after".

That's what roos are for, to protect the hens. They do an OK job, but Barred Rocks are known to be laid back and sweet (mine was a total sweetie). I think that breed is wonderful. :) Usually feral cats aren't a problem unless there are chicks--adult chickens are too big for them to take on. At 5 weeks your birds are still very much on the menu. I wouldn't let them roam full-time until they were at least 2 months old. Youngster chicks are very adventurous and love to explore. I'd think the roos will work once they are adults, but any time you let your birds free range you have to be willing to accept a partial or complete massacre by predators--around here I worry about hawks and possums more than feral cats, although we frequently have cats show up in the back yard. My Barred Rock roo once successfully fought a Red Tailed hawk off of one of my buff cochin bantam hens--all this while I was standing not more than 6 or 7 yards away! His courage and instant action was amazing. Velvet ~:>

Wow, 50! That must have been a great sight. During the summer or fall I usually see a family of 4 or so in the back yard, or the neighbor's back yard, where they like to look for ants in the grass.

Looks like Spam. Eddy63 just joined the forum on 10-9-07.