Chickens in the road

[jlitwitz]

Our chicken roam in the yard and have now ventured into the busy road... most people will stop and honk but it's becoming a problem. We lost one this week.

What to do.

 

[GaNewChick]

Somehow you need to make them afraid of the road. This may be totally off base, but could you buy some of those firecracker things, when you light them they go pop, pop, pop, pop real loud. Throw them in the road when the chickens get near it. Maybe scare them enough that they won't want to go back to that area?

I'm not really sure...maybe someone else will have a better idea.

Good luck and welcome to BYC!

 

[FrenchHen]

Mine don't free range because we're 60 feet from a highway. You can try scaring them, but you may need to fence them.

 

[AngieChick]

Quote:
I would also recommend fencing them. I know it's a pain, but it's the best way to keep them safe.

 

[ChickenToes]

Fence them in.

 

[rancher hicks]

Well now this may help if fencing is not totally to your likeing and this idea does include fencing but only the "rabbit" fencing.
You could buy some of the green metal posts and run fencing the rabbit fencing acrossed your yard. The green metal stakes could be pounded in with a hammer. I know it's not high but then after that you could plant a tight row of barberry bushes in front or behind that. Barberry has prickers, but looks nice. Keep them trimmed until they create a tight hedge. They do have berries and I'm not sure if they will harm chickens if they eat them and I haven't checked.
You could buy small bushes, so you can afford more of them. They establish well and are easy to grow.