are leashes the answer?

[wingedThomas]

so we live in a fairly rural area but the road that is near our property is one in which cars tend to go fast. It's important to us that we let our chickens out of their run to feed on vegetation and act in a more natural way, but we lost half of our small flock of white leghorns and new hampshire reds to vehicles in just a couple months time. My question is... can you leash chickens by their legs and attach that long leash to a stake in the ground? Will the leash get in their way? Will they try running or flying away and break their leg? Maybe most importantly, how would you make a chicken leash? I just want my girls to have a clean environment and not get victimized by fast drivers.

 

[animallover1654]

It sounds like a tricky situation! I would not support tying them up, because not only would the birds not like it, but I think it could be harmful to themselves as well. I totally understand wanting to let them out of their run, but if its dangerous you might have to re-consider. We also live near a major road, so I can only let out my girls a few times a week when I can watch them. I know its disappointing, but its whats best for them. Hope I helped!

 

[donrae]

Lots of folks keep birds staked and they do just fine. They have to be kept seperate so they can't get tangled, I imagine it would be quite a hassle to get them all situated each day, then you have to have water for each of them, and are they sheltered from predators, land and sky? Personally, I think unless I was just keeping them tethered all the time, I'd look into a fence for the front of the property.

 

[galanie]

When mine range in the front, I am always there with a pole or staff. It doesn't take long before they learn that I don't want them near the road. The staff will also help in case a dog comes along. Stay with them while they're out there. Yes you can leash them but like the above poster said, they need to be staked separately so they can't cross each other's path or they'll get tangled up. They even sell leashes and leg bands for it in places they cater to game breeders.

 

[kizanne]

Mine were crossing into the neighbors yard. I ran a chicken fence and kept calling them anytime they went near the fence (they are treat trained so they do come). After a week of that now they just don't go over the fence as there is plenty of forage in my yard. They are certainly capable of flying over the little fence and the first week they went under. But with some training I haven't see them over there in months.

 

[galanie]

I have one hen that when she hears me calling her name in a warning voice will instantly come in away from the road area. It cracks me up and really surprises people when I show them this. No one ever suspects them of being intelligent at all. All of them know when they're about to be naughty but this one really, really "gets" it.

 

[kronenwetter]

I hope to leash one chicken at a time and take them to some green grass. I Jane none anywheres. Only shrubs and things they don't eat. Will they remember the green grass and try to go back. I can cover their eyes so they can't tell where we're going. I'll carry them.