free range chickens.....help

[fratmor]

I see that alot of people free range.I would love to, but I have 3 dog next to me on my 100X100 lot in which my house is in the middle of,the two houses a separated by a 4ft fence.I The girls have a 10x10 run which is completely enclosed.I've let them out for a little while i'm out. but get nervous that they will fly over the fence. am I correct to feel that way or am I being an overly protective chicken MOM.

 

[fratmor]

anyone !

 

[stonykill]

my birds clear a 6 foot fence with ease. You are correct I believe.

 

[NattiFan]

Id say that if they wanted to get over it, 4 foot isnt hard to clear for them.

 

[mkeawsh]

My birds have no problem flying up on the top of the awnings and carport. Some have even flown up on the roof, so yep I would be uncomfortable with it.

 

[oldchickenlady]

Since you have 3 dogs next door to you, I absolutely say you are correct to worry. A 4 foot tall fence is not too high for chickens and may not be too tall for a lot of dogs! Better safe than sorry, unless you are ok with some losses. I free range mine, but I don't have dogs right next door that run free all the time. I do have a neighbor that has 2 dogs that are fenced in a nice large pen that is far enough away from my house that the dogs cant see into my yard. Since they can't see the chickens I don't worry too much. I know it is possible that they could get out and come down to my house and get after my chickens, but I am willing to run the risk since I primarily got chickens to help with tick control. If they are always in the run they can't do what I originally bought them for. So far I have had no losses. Hope I didn't just jinx myself...

 

[Higins00]

Although they can hop a fence, they are likely to stay around thier coop then fly over. The more you leave them out, the farther away they wonder. I would let them out an hour before dawn, that way if they start to wonder away they will come right back to roost for the night.

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

You can always clip one wing on each bird to keep them from going over the fence. I would be worried about the dogs coming over your way too. I would stay out there with them while they are freeranging.

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

Quote:
You mean an hour before dusk.

 

[TigerLilly]

I've got a couple that prefer to roost in a tree, about 20 ft up. those 2 don't free range much...i've had them penned for about the last month or so, to see if i can break them of it. we'll see this wkend when i let them free-range. I'm hoping they'll return to the coop by them selves, like the rest do, right before dusk.