We let the chickens live out their lives as they are partly pets. It's not about the economics really. We have had to add some small mesh netting as their is bird flu in the UK and you are supposed to keep wild birds out, but they used to get in before. We also have a rat problem at the moment. They are digging everywhere in the run and probably getting some of the food.
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Just finished setting up the very rigid (also small netting ) chicken fence, and tied it all up to prevent potential rats. The small birds do steal food around here as well.
I understand why you keep them as pets.