Chickens wandering too far while free ranging.

[klapoint]

I have a hen that will take off for days at a time, return, grab some food and water, then take off again. We cannot figure out where she is going. Does anyone know what this nomadic chicken might have going on? I was thinking that she may be broody and is trying to hatch out an egg somewhere. I just cannot imagine her sitting there. She is a very independent chicken.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

It sounds to me like she has a nest stolen away somewhere. Hang back the next time she shows up and follow her at a distance and see where she is going after she satisfies her hunger.

 

[animallover505]

you should only clip one wing. The goal is to throw them off balance

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

you should only clip one wing. The goal is to throw them off balance

If we don't clip all flights off both wings, our chickens fly over the 4' fence. <shrug>

 

[Family Farming]

I am having the same problem. I love to let my hens free range but if I let them out early they rage too far. I am on a 1.25 acre lot with bean fields all round. There is plenty of bugs and water on our land but they love to roam. Each week they seem more comfortable going farther and farther. I do not mind but I worry that my neighbors are bothered by them. I would estimate that they rage in a 5 acre area including my yard, the bean fields, and my neighbors yards. The bean fields are over knee high now and I also worry they might not be able to find there way back. No one has complained yet but I don't want them to get upset, maybe I will take over a dozen eggs.