How to keep chickens close to the yard.

[Papa chick]

How do I keep my chickens close to home. They go too far from the coop for safety. We have raccoons and hawks around. I have wooded area around and they like going into the forest. I keep an eye out for predators but can't be there all the time. Will throwing out corn scratch help keep them in the area?

 

[GodLovesU]

If you provide feed and water them I would think that would keep them closer.I think some people try to “train” their chickens by locking them in the coop so they’ll come back at night.

 

[Perris]

They will forage as needed to satisfy their appetites; they prefer to stay local if everything they need is there, and will go further as required if not. So making your yard a diverse forage habitat is the best way to keep them close.

 

[Papa chick]

If you provide feed and water them I would think that would keep them closer.I think some people try to “train” their chickens by locking them in the coop so they’ll come back at night.

They come back at night but, they just get to far from the house. Trying to keep them safe from predators.

 

[DLA]

If it's possible you may want to consider investing in a chicken tractor. A portable electric fencing unit will keep them contained and help keep ground predators out but it would need to be placed where there is places they can take cover from hawks and that's still not 100% safe.

 

[AGeese]

Sounds like they have fun foraging the the forest. If you can afford to, maybe consider training up a livestock guardian dog to go browsing with them. This is a more advanced option of course.

 

[Mlinger4g]

They will forage as needed to satisfy their appetites; they prefer to stay local if everything they need is there, and will go further as required if not. So making your yard a diverse forage habitat is the best way to keep them close.

So say planting a diverse seed mixture in the spring and fall would be a good idea!

 

[mrjvi]

I only let mine out at @ 12:00 and they come in at dusk. I set the light to go on before dusk and they usually return. They like to go to the light as it gets dark. Occasionally they don't come in and spend the night with the goats. Foxes usually are around at dawn and sometimes dusk. My dog helps to keep them away. In the spring when the foxes have pups, they will come around any time. I try to be vigilant but sometimes lose a hen or 2 in the spring. ( I have 18 and replace @ half every other year.)