Free-Ranging Chickens

[aoutback]

I free ranged a few as they were able to leave the run we were building, during the day by flying over the 3foot wall. At night they were shut in. They were unsupervised but we would return to check on them and find the same 3 or 4 had gone out to a 10 or 20 foot perimeter. However within a week, all 4 free rangers had disappeared, during the day, only a few feathers left behind. So they all are shut in now, no free ranging is safe here even in a short distance from the run. Coons here at night, not sure what the day predator is yet.

Allie

 

[The Zoo]

Is there any way you can put up some cheap plastic fencing along the road side? Something inexpensive that you actually can't see from a distance?
Probably depends on the chicken but I've known some to stay near the coop and some to go far and wide - they are all individuals. If you *really* don't want to lose one to a car tire then I'd make sure they can't go out on the road.

 

[wichix411]

Well how would I get them back in the run after a half hour out in "heaven" aka the pasture???

 

[The Zoo]

train them to coming running (now while they're in pen) to a sound where they get extra tasty treats when they do. Shake scratch around in a bucket or something and then give them a treat that's extra delicious that you only give them when they come when called. Mine go nuts over cucumber.

 

[Marlinchaser]

Quote:
If you let them out into freerange territory just a little before they are ready to go to bed, they will not get far and should return to the coop. Let them out earlier the next night, and again they should return on thier own. They may need encourageing to go back the first couple nights, thus not allowing them a lot of time to get too far away. You can herd them with just a rack or broom, they will usually move in the direction away from you and the big bad broom.

 

[Summer Rose]

Hi, Mine were 14 weeks, almost three months and I let them free range. At first they stayed near the Coop but one day three were gone.
I thought it was a predator but then I saw one in the next yard, I tried to get her back but couldn't cause it was almost dark. Next morn
couldn't find her or the others. Thinking they were too young to let out. I'm sad about it cause they were cute SF's. I'm going to wait longer
now and have asked that question so far no answer.