Keeping Chickens close?

[chicken5]

I have to get some sort of fencing as well. My chickens have been free-range for over a year now, but my husband is not happy about the poo. He says the yard is full of it, as well as the back steps, etc. I feel terrible to have to fence them in, but my husband won't build the new back deck until I do.

 

[Layira]

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Ok, so mostly you find that they stay close? I wouldn't mind so much that they wandered if I didn't live next to other people; I don't think my neighbors would like it if my chickens decided to scratch up their yard lol.

 

[jjthink]

I would consider some kind of fenced area for when you can't watch them like hawks, unless there are no dogs, fox, raccoons or other beings with nefarious intent anywhere near where you live (not likely!

). It takes only a minute to have a massacre. And if it can't be a covered area, have plenty of places for them to hide/take cover in the event of a hawk.

These are just daytime precautions (assuming they will be locked up tight at night). Chickens - a tough species to be born into - they have targets on their backs

JJ

 

[Montana-Hens]

I have 25 acres and my ladies free range, but they also have a personal 20x50 run. It is great to keep them there when I am leaving, we have lots of fox activity etc.

They stay in the run most of the winter/snowy, too easy to pick off in the snow. In the spring, summer and fall they stay there until the sun is well up and then they go wild for the day. They don't go too far (usually within 400 feet) of home.....but they do get out that far. They know to come running when we call as always give them scratch for that. So when it gets late in the day they are confined to the run in the evening before we close the coop door for the night

 

[Layira]

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Yeah I was definitely going to put in a fenced area so they can be outside with no one watching them. I probably won't be having the area covered, so what do you think is a good height for the fence? And places for them to hide can include anything really, right?

Yes they'll be locked in at night, most certainly. I live in an area that's pretty heavily wooded, I wouldn't risk them being outside at night.

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Sounds like its a really good idea to get them on a schedule for when they get let outside and locked in again. Thanks!

 

[jjthink]

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Fence height as tall as you can manage. 6 feet would be good, if you can (I know..the taller they get the uglier they get!). There are dogs that can easily scale 6 feet BUT if it's the type of fence they can't readily see through, or over, they won't have a reason to. If it's the type of fence they can see through there will be some risk. They can also dig under so if you can bury some hardware cloth that should help (lots of posts on BYC about this). Some dogs will chew right through wood and wire to get at a chicken - irresponsible dog owners are a chicken's worst enemy

. Anything you can do to have plantings around the perimeter of the fenced area will also help camoflage your chickens. I have to do more of that this year as last year's plantings pretty much pooped out (it seems ever since I've had chickens I speak in chicken terms).

Places for them to hide can indeed include anything. Dog houses for them to dash into, shrubs to hide under, table and chairs (also good for chicken watching

), etc. The more hidey spots the better (also provides shade for them in hot weather and extra shelter in inclement weather).

Sounds like your feathered friends will have a lovely home

JJ

 

[Layira]

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Ok, great! Thanks for the reply! I'm gonna have my work cut out for me this weekend, but it sounds doable! Thanks again.

 

[MakNat]

My birds have a pen/coop about 50 ft from my barn. I keep plenty of feed and water in the barn. We have horses and stalls so they love picking through the hay and manure. As well as playing on the hay stacks. The floor is limestone so they dust in it and all I have to do is rake it over. We have 32 acres and seriously they only free range on about an acre around the house and barn yard. I watch them and when they start going to far I will only let out in their pen. I keep them locked up for a few days so they can think about what they did.. Ha!! It really seems to work.. Of course I do have the occasional one or 3 who go to far and something might get. They are all always in the coop right before dark and I do a head count!! Lots of treats too..

 

[Layira]

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Good to know, thank you. I guess how far they go really depends on the chicken itself, so I'll have to just wait and see!

Thanks for the input! Bribery with treats seems to be the way to go!