How far do chickens stray in a free range environment?

[sheeshshe]

is it normal for them to stay around the house? or is it more normal for them to end up 2 houses down....?

 

[DiVon80]

Chickens will roam and they really need a fenced in area to free range in. Chickens are prey animals and everything eats them even us humans. You really need to protect your girls by having a fenced in area and even a fence is not 100% because of prey birds.

 

[Judy]

They will certainly go two houses down, in a suburban type setting. We have 11 acres and mine don't leave our property but they wander over about half of it.

 

[sheeshshe]

LOL! OK.... well, my neighbors wound up across the street for me today which is two houses down... she thought it was odd and that they would stay more near home. Mine are a few weeks younger than hers are and mine have "almost" went next door but I caught them in time... so the short answer is yes? that mine will eventually start taking off as well?

I plan on keeping them in their run when we are in the house and then letting them out to roam when we are outside... the coop just isn't finished yet LOL! One day I'll get a fenced in backyard as well.

my neighbor is at wits end though... she is frustrated that her chickens keep taking off!

 

[antlers]

I have 8 hens in about 5 acres that is fenced for my deer. They use ALL of it. THats about a city block in length for the pens. THey always come in to lay though and roost in the barn.