creatures of the forest?

[Nugget]

So many of you have photos of your hens lounging in the sunny grass. When I let mine out they make a bee-line for the thickest reaches of the woods that surround our home. Every now and then one will appear and then slip back into the thick underbrush.

I suppose they know where they are safest... we do have hawks around but I would prefer to be able to keep an eye on the little ones myself when they're loose.

Do people fence them into their property, or is this just typical of chickens? The oldest of them come when I call. The younger ones I have to go search for. What a pain!

 

[krcote]

Mine like the woods too- the best bugs must be there. They also like to dig around under the deck- who knows lives under there!

 

[PotterWatch]

Mine spend a great deal of time behind the rose bushes. That is the closest they can get to the forest in my backyard, lol.

 

[Frozen Feathers]

We have a giant Forsythia (that is way out of control) and the chickens love it, one of their favorite hang out spots. That and under the pines, they love to dig up the needles for treats.

 

[fivebigreds]

They think they are safest from hawks when in the shade. On a cloudy day they range all over but, on a hot sunny day they stay in the shadows.

 

[milleryardchx]

I dont have a forest but Mine always are hiding under shrubs and roses digging for bugs or cooling off in the shade. Mine are never just laying around in the grass. Unless i throw a treat in the grass.

 

[purr]

Mine are always under their run which is about 3 ft off the ground. But when they get older they will probably be in the swamp and I'll have swamp-chicks.

They are so good though as soon as it starts to get dark they go to bed all by themselves.

 

[Nugget]

I haven't tried mine yet. I usually herd them in when it's starting to get dark, but I think they'd have the sense to go in if I left them alone.

I had the grown-ups out most of the day today and they pretty much kept where I could see them. Now and then they went into the woods but for whatever reason they liked the sunshine today. Funny little beasts. Every time I stepped outside they came running at me, flapping their wings and gobbling like turkeys for treats. Left the little ones in the run today. Didn't feel like getting spruce needle pokes all over me.