Life with a Free-Range Flock in the Hills of Hinesburg
Most backyard chickens are kept in coops or enclosed runs to protect them from predators. And for good reason—losing hens to foxes or owls is a painful reality. But over last 5 years, I’ve been raising a free-range flock on a rocky mountainside in Hinesburg, Vermont. People often chuckle when I tell them this. “You won’t have them long,” they say. But here’s the twist: I didn’t buy more chickens this year—and yet, I have more than I started with. So yes, it can be done.
It’s more work, but the benefits are undeniable. First, the eggs are extraordinary. These aren’t your average backyard eggs or even fancy store-bought organic ones. The yolks are deep orange, the shells are shockingly hard, and the flavor is unmatched. Our hens lay almost daily, and it’s clear that their access to fresh forage, sunlight, and space is paying off.
When I first started, I purchased incubator-hatched chicks from a store. They lacked instinct and were more vulnerable to illness and predators. In contrast, the hens that were naturally hatched and raised by a mother hen within our flock are far hardier, more aware, and perfectly suited to the free-range life.
To make this work, I take daily precautions. Each morning, before opening the run, I do a perimeter check—a brisk 10-minute loop around the property to look for signs of predators. I don’t yet have a livestock guardian dog, but someday I hope to. For now, this routine is part of how I get exercise, and it gives me peace of mind.
Free-ranging doesn’t mean the chickens are always out. If a predator is spotted—or if my rooster sounds the alarm—they stay safely in their secure run. Over the past year, I’ve chased off bears, foxes, owls, and even a bobcat. Thankfully, our coop and run are predator-proof: reinforced with hardwire cloth and strong enough to stand up to determined wildlife. We lose about one hen per year to predators during daytime free-ranging. Still, our flock has grown—we’ve given away dozens to other families, and we maintain a small, manageable number because our coop only fits 11 comfortably.
The rooster is an essential part of this system. He alerts us to danger and keeps a watchful eye as the hens forage. If he sounds off, we check. Nine times out of ten, there’s a reason. I’ve learned to read the signs—subtle changes in behavior, sounds, or even the absence of noise—and tune into the rhythm of our land.
There’s no perfect time of day to free-range. Dusk and dawn are risky, yes, but I’ve seen predators strike in broad daylight. So we focus on reducing risk—not eliminating it. By being present on the land, walking the trails, and leaving our scent around, we help deter predators.
The emotional difference in free-range chickens is real. They’re more active, alert, and engaged. And because they go broody each spring, we rarely need to bring in new birds. That closed-loop keeps our flock healthier and more resilient.
