Chickens Just Wandered into My Yard.

[Tesumph]

Agreed... I honestly just wanted to follow, and to bring it back around to what the OP was asking about.

Yep, got a little off topic, sorry.

I thought I read an article here about junglefowl territory ranges but I can’t find it now? If that’s been documented, you’d think a chicken wouldn’t wander farther than that. Especially not all four of them without losing each other, right?

 

[Frazzemrat1]

Yep, got a little off topic, sorry.

I thought I read an article here about junglefowl territory ranges but I can’t find it now? If that’s been documented, you’d think a chicken wouldn’t wander farther than that. Especially not all four of them without losing each other, right?

I know my chickens don't wander out of eyesight of our house. We herd them back when they range beyond our property line, but they don't go out of eyesight of our house. I have neighbors all around and woods, so I think its a safety thing. My ex also had chickens when I was with him, his were pretty much the same. He lived in the woods with only one close neighbor (you could see them through the trees in the winter) and they never went over there. They didn't go very far into the woods either, again, within sight of the house.

 

[Tesumph]

I know my chickens don't wander out of eyesight of our house. We herd them back when they range beyond our property line, but they don't go out of eyesight of our house. I have neighbors all around and woods, so I think its a safety thing. My ex also had chickens when I was with him, his were pretty much the same. He lived in the woods with only one close neighbor (you could see them through the trees in the winter) and they never went over there. They didn't go very far into the woods either, again, within sight of the house.

Yea, and you’d think if they walked all that way to OP’s property, whether they were spooked or just decided to leave for some reason, they would be a lot more scraggly.

I’ll never understand the mentality of dumping your animals like they’re used furniture or something.. I live in the country and get plenty of dogs and cats dumped out here. I’d love to have 4 hens for a change hahaha.

 

[beans2]

Not really sure what that has to do with wild vs domesticated but you’re not wrong.

A city fox still has traits completely formed by natural selection outside of human control. A cow bred for the mountains is still just that— bred for the mountain, by humans.

its not a mountain vs flat difference. Scottish mountain cows are very docile.
the point i was making is that wildness and domestication are not separate. there are many traits that influence wildness and its a question of degrees. there is a fine line between them.

 

[MickWithChicks]

All good regarding the debate around free ranging vs wild/feral. It was interesting to read the thought processes of both sides of the coin.

The hens walked freely into the aviary with some dry mealworms as "bait". They were hesitant of me, but it really wasn't difficult to get them in there.

I know my chickens don't wander out of eyesight of our house. We herd them back when they range beyond our property line, but they don't go out of eyesight of our house.

That's been my experience too. When these hens were poking around near where I often see the fox, I figured it'd be best to get them safe.

Yea, and you’d think if they walked all that way to OP’s property, whether they were spooked or just decided to leave for some reason, they would be a lot more scraggly.

I’ll never understand the mentality of dumping your animals like they’re used furniture or something.. I live in the country and get plenty of dogs and cats dumped out here. I’d love to have 4 hens for a change hahaha.

I don't understand it either. It's not the first time I've seen chooks dumped in the area. There were at least dozen hens and roos dumped about 1km from here on a ridge overpass. Unfortunately when I found them I was heading interstate the next morning and unable to catch them and prepare a quarantined area in time before my trip. They had pretty bad scaly leg mites and I didn't want them anywhere near my hens. They were also very flighty and I'd have needed assistance to catch them. I went straight out there with wifey 4 days later after my trip to find them all dead through predation or dehydration.

----------------

To update before bed: I haven't done another neighbour door-knock since my last post tonight. Dinner time rolled around and by the time I got through all my usual evening stuff it was 8:30pm. I checked on them about 30 minutes ago and they're all huddled up together, nice and warm (and safe). I'll do another door-knock tomorrow and leave a note if nobody answers.

 

[MROO]

Chickens will wander as far as the next enticing bug or piece of greenery. Depending on how many treats they spy and how long they've been loose, those biddies could have bug-by-bugged their way quite a distance!

 

[Tesumph]

Chickens will wander as far as the next enticing bug or piece of greenery. Depending on how many treats they spy and how long they've been loose, those biddies could have bug-by-bugged their way quite a distance!

That’s a scary thought. Not hard to kidnap a chicken then, huh?

Back in my day, we were taught not to accept bugs from strangers!

 

[MickWithChicks]

I still haven't managed to find the owners. No neighbours home again so I left a note in a few letterboxes with my contact details.

If I hear from someone, great! If not, I'll start the flea, mite, and worm treatment, and give them a round of antibiotics, then start the introduction process. None seem to have any issues, but better to be safe than sorry!

No eggs from them this morning, though! Hopefully I get a few as a reward before someone claims them.

those biddies could have bug-by-bugged their way quite a distance!

Bug-by-bugged! Never heard that one before, love it!

 

[Strychten]

We have also had cats dumped on us, that we cared for and now care for the offspring of, but never chickens. How close are you to the city? Country folk don't normally do stuff like that. (I'm 37 miles from downtown Houston.) That is how we obtained our Buff Orpington rooster, Colonel, though. A coworker of my wife had neighbors with chickens. One young roo escaped and would roost on her barbeque grill. She grabbed it and put it back in the neighbors yard. Next day it was back on the BBQ grill. (Deathwish?) She tried once more and it came back, so my wife took it from her this time and he has been a wonderful addition to our flock even though originally we didn't want a rooster. (We had 14 hens) Now we have a few of his little offspring running around too and our flock is up to 20.

 

[Tesumph]

We have also had cats dumped on us, that we cared for and now care for the offspring of, but never chickens. How close are you to the city? Country folk don't normally do stuff like that. (I'm 37 miles from downtown Houston.) That is how we obtained our Buff Orpington rooster, Colonel, though. A coworker of my wife had neighbors with chickens. One young roo escaped and would roost on her barbeque grill. She grabbed it and put it back in the neighbors yard. Next day it was back on the BBQ grill. (Deathwish?) She tried once more and it came back, so my wife took it from her this time and he has been a wonderful addition to our flock even though originally we didn't want a rooster. (We had 14 hens) Now we have a few of his little offspring running around too and our flock is up to 20.

According to google I’m 41 miles from downtown Houston. I definitely have a lot of country folks doing it here. Not the good ol cow ranchers, more like.. borderline trailer trash? (Is that offensive?) I guess that’s not the typical “country folk” but we are in the country.