I'm curious - How far do free range chickens venture from the coop?

[biddyboo]

We began free ranging only after our flock had established attachment to their coop and 20 x 20 outdoor play area, fenced with 4' chain link. We trimmed a couple of hens' wing feathers, those who seemed determined to "escape." After several weeks of learning what "home" is, the hens were released for their 2-3 hour free range time. We always leave the run gate open so the hens can return when they want to lay eggs in nest boxes in the coop or want water/feed. Some consistently return early; one always wants first dibs on the night's roost. A few will stay out til we have to herd them home, as if they can't scratch enough under the pines or devour enough garden chard. To your question, we have three acres, borders not fenced. The hens always stay within sight of their home yard. They've learned to meander around our house, but always stay close by it and return to their back yard view of their home coop. I was amazed at first, but now I'm comfortable and trust their sense about "territory." ~G

 

[HEChicken]

My backyard is fenced all the way around and they have never tried to fly over the fences. However one afternoon I did return home to find them all in the front yard. As soon as they saw me, there was a mad scramble to get back to the backyard "before Mom sees us". I discovered that they had dug an indentation at the base of the front fence that had allowed them to pop under it. I fixed that and have never seen them back out again. Point is, even though they had their freedom, they stayed within feet of the fence and couldn't wait to return home.

 

[Akane]

About 300- 600' depending on breed is what I was told and seems fairly accurate. My bantams stay closer to 300', my standards closer to 600', and my guineas you don't even want to ask. If there are objects or different plantings they may angle more one way than the other. They are less likely to challenge fences on the edge of their range so a bit over 600' away there is a falling down fence with gaps that they rarely go through. 200' away amongst a junk pile they love to hang out in is a 5' fairly solid fence for it's age with no chicken sized gaps that they are always going over or scrambling under even when it doesn't look like they'll fit. They don't have to have a reason to go over that fence. It's in their territory so they cross it. The other fence is beyond their range so they only cross it for a good reason such as someone feeding bird seed over there or something scaring them from this side.

 

[teach1rusl]

Our appx. three acres are fenced w/wooden horse fence on two sides, and standard field fence on the other two. I've walked them around the inside perimeter of our property a few times. Other than that, when mine are out of the run, they pretty hang out on about an acrea area between the garage/coop area and the house. I've worried a bit about them going over the board fence (especially since they eyeball my cats when they're up there), but so far no attempts...

 

[elmo]

I would imagine that this has a direct relationship to the availability of food: birds that don't get supplemental feed probably would have to range greater distances in order to find enough food.

 

[moonlyghtegirl]

I have 3.5 acres, mine (3 BOs, 1EE, 1GLW) range on less than half of that by choice.

 

[gritsar]

I recently found my flock on the other end of the farm, roughly 40 acres away from the house and their coop. It's wintertime, they're bored and tired of the lack of pickings closer to the house.
Most of the time they stay within a 5 acres radius though.

 

[SouthernBornOUFan]

Quote:
Jezz!!! Sure they weren't headed for the border?

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Jezz!!! Sure they weren't headed for the border?

I'm just hoping for spring and green things to get here soon. Keeps em closer to home.

 

[teach1rusl]

Quote:
Jezz!!! Sure they weren't headed for the border?

Were they headed south???