Fresh Air, Sunshine, and Room to Roam

Reading Time: 4 minutes
By Dorothy Rieke
Years ago, chickens had the “run” of our farm, ranging from our yard to the barnyard, to the lots, to pastures, and to the vast fields planted with grain. One might say they were “footloose and fancy-free.”
Down through the history of our country, chickens have met many needs, first for the early settlers and then for later generations. They were especially valuable to everyone during the days of economic depression. Chickens not only represented sources of income; they successfully fed large families with eggs and meat, yielding many nutritional benefits.
Chicken-raising, though not always easy, answered the call for additional income with sales of chickens and eggs. They not only brought in income, but they also offered a sense of accomplishment for those who raised them.
Oh, yes, those who raised chickens faced problems. Years ago, with some ramshackle henhouses, predators, such as coyotes, foxes, and rats often had their way with chickens.
Not only did animal predators prey on our flocks, but some humans began stealing chickens from those who raised them. My grandparents raised chickens for years. They represented a major source of income and food on their 87-acre farm.
Their farm, located about three miles south of a village, was close enough for chicken thieves to know where the chickens were.
One night, Grandpa and Grandma were asleep in their upstairs bedroom. All at once, Grandpa awakened hearing noises from the nearby henhouse. He jumped out of bed, put on his overalls and shoes, and ran down the steep stairs to the dining room. Thinking that a wild animal had invaded the henhouse, he grabbed his shotgun loaded with birdshot.
He threw open the back door and raced outside. While running toward the henhouse at a great speed, he heavily slammed into someone or something. What was out here in the middle of the barnyard? Then, it dawned on him. He had collided with a chicken thief!
The thief recovered quickly, dropping the sack of hens he had caught, and bolted toward a large gate located between the barnyard and the driveway. Panting with fear and exertion and evidently not knowing how to open that gate, the thief began climbing it.
Gaining courage and determination, Grandpa raced toward the gate probably yelling words that we would not care to hear. All at once, Grandpa heard a “plop.” Evidently, the thief had fallen from the gate in his haste to climb over it. However, with a burst of speed, his feet again pounded up the driveway.
Grandpa threw open the gate and ran after the fleeing figure, who dashed onto the graveled highway and turned to the north. He must have achingly stretched his legs racing down that steep hill. Grandpa, huffing and puffing, chased him.
However, Grandpa noticed that the thief was outdistancing him. He was getting away! All at once, Grandpa was furious, feeling rage and disappointment. How could that man steal what they had worked so hard for? How could he!
He raised his gun. Not wanting to hit the man but scare him, Grandpa pointed the gun down and quickly pulled the trigger.
“Bam!”
The old “sure shot” gun echoed across the darkened night. The thief must have been terrified. Jumbled, horrid thoughts must have come to him. Would that maniac shoot again?
Grandpa heard a car start. Did the thief have an accomplice? Or was he super quick cranking that car?
Grandpa heard the car move away. Finally, as it mounted the hill, he saw one red light, but he could not see the license or the kind of car it was.
Chicken thieves, in the years to come, did not steal Grandpa’s chickens. After that story got around in the community, everyone was terrified of what Grandpa would do with that gun!

Owners of chickens today have the same protective feelings toward their flocks and want the very best environment for them. That is why many are raising chickens in pastures.
Raising chickens in pastures has many benefits. First, this activity eliminates feed costs, reduces insects, and eliminates labor costs of cleaning henhouses. Ample sunlight in pastures and an insect diet produce vitamins D and B, creating healthier, happier chickens. Because their diets are varied and good, chickens produce more nutritionally dense eggs and meat. Pasture-raised chickens also need amino acids, building blocks for making proteins, important in a flock’s diet. One essential amino acid is methionine. This cannot be made but is readily available through insects the chickens consume.
The only dietary problem pasture-raised chickens face is the lack of calcium. This need can be supplied with oyster shell.
Pasture growth also plays an important role in healthy flocks. In order to be healthy, chickens need a nutritional diet from pasture growth. For example, many producers favor flax, peas, alfalfa, lespedeza, clover, and other legumes for pastures. Of course, in addition to these crops, chickens eat insects, berries, and seeds.
Consumers have discovered that pasture-raised chickens are high protein, low fat, and rich in omega-3 fatty acids. They especially benefit those with compromised immune systems and other health issues. The fact is that pasture-raised chickens produce better-tasting eggs and meat because of an improved lifestyle.
No longer are expensive hen houses needed because pasture poultry relies more on natural resources and less on manmade accommodations. No high electricity costs. Managing and removing manure is not an issue. In fact, their manure is beneficial to pasture growth.
Raising free-range chickens can be demanding with hard labor. But raising flocks in a healthy, sustainable manner brings about a better lifestyle for those flocks.
Flock management takes experience and knowledge. Even selling the produce must include knowledge of creative ideas to sell. The overall goal is to increase profits without increasing costs. That in itself is daunting for the weak-hearted. However, those with experience and knowledge who have the ability to see future benefits will be successful in raising chickens on pasture land. They will provide their flocks with fresh air, sunshine, and room to roam in pastures.
Originally published in the October/November 2021 issue of Backyard Poultry and regularly vetted for accuracy.