Help, my free rangers are roaming the neighborhood! :(

Clark Fowl Fans

In the Brooder
Sep 19, 2016
19
0
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I have been free ranging my 5 BOs all summer, but recently they've started getting braver and are starting to roam the neighborhood! I don't want to keep them stuck in the run all day, but I can't have them roaming the neighborhood either. Tips to keep them in the yard or teach them boundaries (other than fencing the whole yard?)
 
Hi, welcome to BYC!
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If you don't have a fence, the run IS the safest place for them. It's better than being eaten by a stray dog. And your neighbors might not be too happy if your chickens find their garden and help themselves.

Chickens, as far as I can tell couldn't care less about boundaries.
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With more than 1 acre of lushness and bugs, mine still want to roam the neighborhood and can easily clear a 10 foot fence. So fencing may not change anything without clipping wings.

I would suggest a mobile run or tractor that you can move to fresh locations. You might be able to set up a motion activated sprinkler at the location they are leaving. It will come on and spray their direction, startling them to run away from that area. After enough times they think of it as a danger zone, maybe.

I will be curious to see what solutions you come up with.

Good luck!
 
You don't have a lot of options at this point. Unless you have plenty of time to stand around watching them and chasing them back in the yard all day, you're probably going to have to build a run or put up a fence.
 
Ugh, that's what I was afraid of. I can likely let them run the yard while we're outside, but I guess they're getting stuck in the run while we're away! Stinkers. Thanks for the tip!
 
Yeah....that's what I was afraid I'd hear. I have a run built, but may build a "mobile one" too to give them some variety. Shoot.
 
When I let mine out, they will occasionally wander into the next yard. I've found that inexpensive garden fencing (1" squares at around $25 for a 50' roll) has been sufficient enough to prevent my flock from going where I don't want them to. It's not at all secure against predators but it makes for a great barrier that they do not cross. It's only 3' high and can be stapled to garden stakes. Set up is easy and it's mobile making it very convenient.
 
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You don't have a lot of options at this point. Unless you have plenty of time to stand around watching them and chasing them back in the yard all day, you're probably going to have to build a run or put up a fence.
Yep! totally agree. When I do let mine out of the fenced run and into the yard, they run to the far end of the yard where there is no fence to the neighbors as if they are running for freedom!
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Thus I have to be the flock master and herd them back into the main portion of the yard. Silly chickens!
 

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