Free Ranging- dangers?.. Advice needed

[janellelg]

I have a small flock of 2 chickens, a rooster (who at a previous home took on an eagle for his ladies and survived!)

and 2 ducks. I have a decent sized fenced in back yard (pic. is from 2 years ago when lawn was put in).
My flock does NOT have clipped wings. We are located in Alaska. Predators in our area are mainly the owls, hawks, and eagles.

QUESTIONS:

1. If I let them free range in the fenced in yard, will they stick around or do you think they will go outside of the fence?

2. Will they make a mess of my yard? (mostly worried about the ducks)



I don't want them destroying the yard, or God forbid get taken by a large bird... but I know they would enjoy free ranging and the shallow pool!

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! You might like to check out your state thread and see what people in your area do about predators https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/84141/north-to-alaska/0_20
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/chicken-tractors-mobile-chicken-coop-designs you might consider making a tractor or two for your flock, good way to keep them safe from aerial predators and it lets you control where they are digging etc.
The birds will probably go over the fence if you let them free range, you can try wing clipping, but depending on how high the fence is and if there is anything to help them get over, they will eventually try.
With only four birds, you won't have much pressure on your grass etc. but yes, they will make something of a mess of your yard eventually if you don't watch them or contain them to certain places. Chickens are destructive with their scratching and digging and inevitably seem to decide the best place to make a dust pit is exactly where you least want it. Ducks aren't as bad with the digging, unless it is wet/ there is water, then they can turn anything into a wet mess.

 

[ChickyChickens]

Welocme to BYC!!! It is an aweosme forum (the BEST in the world) and has a great comminity!!! Hope you have a great time and learn A LOT!

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Hi

Glad you could join the flock! Great advice there for you from Kelsie. Clipping a wing could help but even so if the fence is not high enough they could still fly out (I found this out with escaping birds)
Wishing you the very best of luck with your flock. Hope you enjoy BYC, I am sure you will

 

[Wyandottes7]

Welcome!

I'm glad you joined our community.

Kelsie2290's given you some good advice.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[mymilliefleur]

Hello and Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you decided to join! Feel free to ask any questions you may have, we will try to help you anyway we can.

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

My chickens are very good at staying in our non-fenced yard. But chickens are also curious birds that will wander.

And yes, chickens do have a tendency to mess up plants, gardens and yards in general. You'll need to fence in any plants and other areas you don't want your chickens to get into.

 

[drumstick diva]

If you want to be certain your birds stay inside your yard, you will need a cover so they can't fly out, and nothing can fly/jump or climb in to attack them. I would imagine in your state you also have snakes - they steal eggs and eat baby chicks if given the opportunity. It seems everything loves chicken and not in a romantic way.

 

[AK Chick]

I'm in Alaska, and when we first got our chickens 3 years ago, we didn't cover the chicken yard, and we lost 2 hens right away. Between the Eagles, Falcons, Owls, and Ravens, we decided to cover the top with some driftnet. No problems since. Except in winter, when the ground level is a foot or two shorter, and my ponytail gets caught in the netting! Ouch!