How far do Free Range chickens go?

[Telecaster68]

I have been free ranging my Buff Orpingtons
and they used to stay really close to the coop and never went out of the backyard, but spring is upon us and they have been venturing farther and farther each day. How far do they go is this normal?

 

[my sunwolf]

I think the farthest mine have ever ventured was about 1/4 a mile away from the coop.

 

[McCormack Farms]

They will generally venture within a 3 - 4 acre diameter from the coop when there's greens and bugs to forage for, or a nice secluded place to take a dust bath. More gamy breeds of chickens will go farther, but will always return unless broody!

 

[TwoCrows]

Good luck with your free ranging chickens! I can't free range mine, so I can't say.

Welcome to BYC!

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! X2, it depends on the breed, but they will usually cover a couple of acres at least, it also depends on the layout, and cover etc, they will follow a fence line for instance fairly far. If you want them to range farther, you can feed them away from the coop, gradually moving food to where you want them to be foraging, they will get used to it pretty quick

 

[Fierlin1182]

Hi and

Sounds like you have some experienced answers already. We "free range" our chickens, but we only have a small urban garden so they don't have far to go. Oddly enough they'll never go out of the gate, even if it's open. This is helpful, as it means we don't have to keep a close eye on them.

They'll go wherever they can find food - so it should be pretty normal if they spread out as things get greener in spring.

 

[gander007]

 

[RescueChicken]

I'm thinking about letting mine free range but... I live in the desert with a fair amount of predators.
No fences just wide open spaces.
Anybody else have chickens in the desert?
I have mountain lions to golden eagles to rattlesnakes to every kind of ant, not to mention the cactus especially the dreaded cholla.
I'd like to set them free but *sigh* I'd hate to loose one of my buddies. The coop and run are nice for now.
I'll keep reading about how and when you introduce them to it.

 

[roostersandhens]

 

[highcountrybell]

hello mine seem to venture further and further everyday, even compared to last year. their at about 3 or 4 acres from the coop now. theres a alot of tree coverage though and they follow the ducks off.