Hi, folks. I'm new to BYC and am located in the Texas Hill Country North West of Austin.
I don't have chickens yet, as our neighborhood has had restrictions that prevented residents from having poultry, but recently a (seemingly successful) petition has circulated and it looks like the rules are changing. I've wanted chickens since even before we moved here, and am happy it is becoming a possibility. We have two young sons who we'd like to teach some responsibility and about where their food comes from.
We are looking at a small flock to start, maybe 3-4 hens. At the moment, we are looking for a reasonably-priced good coop, probably something chicken-tractor like or a chicken ark that we can move around the property. We don't have a fence around our property, but are looking at temporary moveable fencing (or do we even need fencing?) to allow the chickens to free range during the day. We also have a LGD that could eventually help with this, but she needs serious training -- she is still a pup and we haven't had any livestock to train her with -- before she is more use than trouble.
Just wanted to say hello and thanks for all the info I've already gotten by checking out these forums.
In case anyone feels the desire to help, my main question right now is:
Can I free range chickens without fencing? Will they wander far? We have 3.5 acres so there's some room without bothering the neighbors, but I don't want them to wander too far. I've heard of some people doing this, especially with a dog that can keep them in line, but I'm not sure how reasonable it is. Are there certain breeds that will stay closer to home?
I don't have chickens yet, as our neighborhood has had restrictions that prevented residents from having poultry, but recently a (seemingly successful) petition has circulated and it looks like the rules are changing. I've wanted chickens since even before we moved here, and am happy it is becoming a possibility. We have two young sons who we'd like to teach some responsibility and about where their food comes from.
We are looking at a small flock to start, maybe 3-4 hens. At the moment, we are looking for a reasonably-priced good coop, probably something chicken-tractor like or a chicken ark that we can move around the property. We don't have a fence around our property, but are looking at temporary moveable fencing (or do we even need fencing?) to allow the chickens to free range during the day. We also have a LGD that could eventually help with this, but she needs serious training -- she is still a pup and we haven't had any livestock to train her with -- before she is more use than trouble.
Just wanted to say hello and thanks for all the info I've already gotten by checking out these forums.
In case anyone feels the desire to help, my main question right now is:
Can I free range chickens without fencing? Will they wander far? We have 3.5 acres so there's some room without bothering the neighbors, but I don't want them to wander too far. I've heard of some people doing this, especially with a dog that can keep them in line, but I'm not sure how reasonable it is. Are there certain breeds that will stay closer to home?
and Welcome To BYC! X2 check on the electric poultry netting for portable fencing, helps deter predators ... if you free range they will eventually find their way over to the neighbors if they are close.
