Free ranging

[Newtopoulrty]

I'm curious if it's possible to allow my chickens,, or rather teach them that they can be out of the run if I'm with them and be able to herd them back into the run? I can't allow them alone out there because I live in a development and don't want them wandering too far. My husband says its impossible. Some of them are getting out regardless bc the whole top isn't covered. Advice please, I feel maybe they would stop flying g over if they were allowed to run around more. Their run is sufficient I believe I just think they want the grass and bugs.

 

[Bear1978]

How big is your run, how high is the fence and how many chickens do you have? Some breeds are flightier then others and the bigger breeds are less likely to try to fly over the fence.

Maybe toss some yard refuse such as grass clippings (chemical free), leaves, pine needles and such into their run occasionally to give them some new material to peck through.

Also, do you have roosts and stuff in their run to keep them occupied?

 

[Chickstarrs]

I found that once I let my hens free range, they wanted to get out every time they were let out of the coop into the run. Whenever I walk over to the run they pace back and forth along the fence clucking at me to let them out. One was quite saucy with me this morning so I told her "too bad, it's not time yet"

 

[Newtopoulrty]

How big is your run, how high is the fence and how many chickens do you have? Some breeds are flightier then others and the bigger breeds are less likely to try to fly over the fence.

Maybe toss some yard refuse such as grass clippings (chemical free), leaves, pine needles and such into their run occasionally to give them some new material to peck through.

Also, do you have roosts and stuff in their run to keep them occupied?

My run is 10×20 approximately, I believe the fence is about 5 foot tall, but the gate is shorter than the fence, I believe that's where they get out from. I have numerous roosts in there for them, there are 23 in there. I also, several times a day go through the yard and pull up grass, clover, dandelion and anything else I've noticed them eat. My leghorns are the ones who escape most frequently, but I've had 2 other hens that get out occasionally.

 

[Chickstarrs]

My run is 10×20 approximately, I believe the fence is about 5 foot tall, but the gate is shorter than the fence, I believe that's where they get out from. I have numerous roosts in there for them, there are 23 in there. I also, several times a day go through the yard and pull up grass, clover, dandelion and anything else I've noticed them eat. My leghorns are the ones who escape most frequently, but I've had 2 other hens that get out occasionally.

It is great to have roosts in the run but I find that the chickens use the roosts as a jump-off platform, depending on how close the roost is to the fence.

 

[Newtopoulrty]

It is great to have roosts in the run but I find that the chickens use the roosts as a jump-off platform, depending on how close the roost is to the fence.

The roosts are all under the part of the run where the top is enclosed..
I feel I'm just not gonna win lol

 

[Mrs. K]

Letting them free-range is not going to help with keeping them in when you want them to stay in, it might make it worse. Bird netting can be draped over a run to keep them in. My predators are so bad, I have to have over the top run covered.

But yes you can get them in with a long stick. It is a case where slow is really faster in the long run. Pour a little treat just at the gate, and a larger pile further inside the run. Then take your stick walk out farther than the furthest bird. Tap the ground and say hut, hut, and walk toward the birds until they naturally move away from you toward the coop. Once they move, you stop, stay stopped until they stop moving. You don't want to chase them or get them riled up, you just want to lightly pressure them so that they move away from you toward the treat.

When they stop moving, then you take a step or 2-3 again toward them, saying hut, hut, with your arms outstretched, and tapping the ground, if one gets behind you, ignore that one and keep working on the others. That one will come back. You move til they start moving, and stop, when they stop, you start moving. Eventually one will see the treats, and the late ones will see the ones further in.

It can be done, and without upsetting your chickens.

But I don't think it will solve the flying out of the run problems.

Mrs K