Bad decision

[crooked stripe]

Made the bad decision of selecting chickens that don't want to stay with each other and in the run-coop. I have a 1 acre with neighbors on each side, about a hundred feet either side. Not that the neighbors mind in fact they love to watch and feed them. The point is why won't they stay home. I have had chickens for eight years now and this bunch has the itch to roam. I have 1 pair of Salmon Faverolles and one of these is the only roo. 2 Black Australorps, 2 Road Island Reds, 1 White Rock mixed and 1 Old English mixed. I need to up the flock for the winter to around 12 and I need them to stay home without totally confining them. Now they are enclosed by a 6' fence. I have a home for this bunch so, what breeds would you pick to fit my needs. I need to make my choices and get the day olds raised by winter. That is 1 roo and 12 hens. Please help me make my choices to fit my needs. Thank you, Jonn

 

[teach1rusl]

So your property is enclosed in 6 ft.fence, or their run is??? If your property isn't fenced (with at least field fence, which is pretty cheap), then most birds will roam. They're just chickens, so they certainly don't know boundary lines...lol. Now, if you have a fence around your property, then I'm surprised that some of those heavier bodied breeds (SF and BA) are going over. None of my heavy bodied girls leave our fence. Our EEs will occasionally, but they're slimmer built and better fliers. But even the big fluffy butts like orpingtons or brahmas or cochins will wander if your yard/property isn't fenced...

 

[devora]

So are they enclosed in this fence area or in the run? I'm confused as to how they roam.

 

[Den in Penn]

Plus they have an incentive if the neighbors feed them.

 

[galanie]

Plus they have an incentive if the neighbors feed them.