Backyard Chickens - Free Range Troubleshooting

[ChickenMomma4310]

Hi! I am new to chickens and seeking some advice on raising our backyard chickens. We have about .5 acre yard and neighbors on all sides. I really want our chickens to get plenty of fresh air, grass, access to bugs and plants etc., so we have allowed them to free range in the day while we are home. Overall, it is going okay, but there are a few issues I’m trying to troubleshoot. 1) They are pooping all over our patio and driveway, and that is starting to get frustrating. 2) They are also starting to scratch and dig and essentially ruin some of our landscaping/flowers which my husband is upset about because he enjoys our landscaping that he worked hard on. 3) Also, they sometimes get in the neighbors’ yards and I don’t want to upset anyone.

They currently have a small chicken coop/run, and I am wondering if anyone has any experience or suggestions on portable runs that we could move them into daily… something that can move around and still allow them to “free range” but within limits. I have seen some options online, but I am wondering how we would get them from the coop to the portable run?

I am sad because I love letting them free range. They seem so happy and my kids and I love interacting with them. Has anyone else had this experience?

Any suggestions are very appreciated!!!

 

[ChickyCh00k]

Do you have pics of your current setup? How many chickens?

I have used the Rent-A-Coop and Premier1 moveable fencing with success (I think Premier1 is better, but it is pricey to get a larger size - I ordered 2x 68' to get the size pen I wanted):

Rent-A-Coop: https://rentacoop.com/collections/fencing/products/multi-use-pet-boundary-fencing-1

Premier1: https://www.premier1supplies.com/poultry/fencing.php?fence_id=155

 

[Mother of Chaos]

I use Premier1, the non-electric version. It’s great. We move it around every few weeks.

 

[ChickenMomma4310]

Thank you so much for your reply! We have 7 chickens. Here is our coop and small run they are in now. We love them!! I wish they could just have free roam in an ideal world.

 

[ChickyCh00k]

You could easily put either of the moveable fences I linked around that whole setup and give 7 chickens plenty of space to free range(ish) in it.

The Rent-A-Coop fence is $200 for 100ft.

Or you could get 2 of the 68' Premier1 fences (136 ft total) for $268.

Both options are fairly easy to set up and move around into whatever sort of configuration you want!