chickens stay in yard?

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TheBeatlesAddict

TheBeatlesAddict

In the Brooder
9 Years
May 27, 2010
66
1
39
elkhart, indiana
i'm very new at this. i got 5 baby chicks for easter, the are outside now in a big dog kennel. i was wondering if i let them out will they stay in the yard? i don't want to lose them because i love them very much, i see people who have chickens and they just run around unfenced. do i have to train them to stay or will they just stay on their own? they've been living outside for a week or 2 now. please help me
 
Since they have been in there for about two weeks, they will not go far if you let them out, and they will come back. It's weird because with most animals if you let them out they run away, but not chickens.

Just make sure you let them out in the evening and stay around to watch them. When it starts getting dark, they should go right back in.
 
If they've been in the dog kennel for two weeks they know where their house is.
Let them out a couple hours before it gets dark, but don't feed them outside of the kennel.

Keep an eye on them, if they wander away don't chase after them, you need to outflank them very quietly and stealthily, and then herd/usher them back towards the kennel. Don't get between them and the kennel.

As the light starts to fade put some food in their kennel and you'll find that they'll all probably just go in by themselves.

Be aware not all chicks are smart enough to remember that the door they came out is also the way in, you might find they wander round the kennel a bit before relocating the door.

Be aware also that birds of prey, dogs and cats aren't all that afraid of people - keep a good eye on your chicks when they're out until they get the hang of what they're doing.

If you let them free range then your chickens will also become Beetles addicts - sorry couldn't resist.
 
If your yard is fenced, they will likely stay. If it isn't, even if they DO stay, you have a predator problem. Dogs can devastate a small flock very quickly. My flock has always been content to stick to 1/4-1/2 an acre, even when the fences weren't great. As long as they get along, and there is enough to eat, they should stick close to home.
 
I've only had one chicken, one time, fly over the fence to the neighbor's side. That happened only once, and when it happened there was a noise ruckus immediately, as she couldn't figure out how to get back. My problem was a garbage can, placed right next to the fence where she jumped over.

As others have said, your worst issue is free-ranging them in an unfenced yard because dogs, and other predators, can run into your yard anytime and devastate the flock. Otherwise, to keep them from flying over the fence, keep big items away from your fence, and only feed them inside your yard, making sure your neighbors don't ever feed them. You will plant the idea in their brains that their food and treats only exist at home, and that it is best to stay close by.
 

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