Keeping Chicks in the Yard?

[Awestruck]

We are planning on moving to a new home with a big back yard which is completely fenced in, however, the fence in the back is made of panels of wood with large spaces between them, kind of like a ranch fence. I am wondering if chickens could go outside of the fence by going under the space that is close to the ground. In the front yard, the fence is not big enough for them to escape that way. It is just in the back yard where I think they could escape. Or, do they like their homes so much that they aren't tempted to escape?

 

[Rod-T]

If they can fit thru.. they probably will

 

[azjustin]

We are planning on moving to a new home with a big back yard which is completely fenced in, however, the fence in the back is made of panels of wood with large spaces between them, kind of like a ranch fence. I am wondering if chickens could go outside of the fence by going under the space that is close to the ground. In the front yard, the fence is not big enough for them to escape that way. It is just in the back yard where I think they could escape. Or, do they like their homes so much that they aren't tempted to escape?

They're curious animals, they will go wherever it's new regardless of what's on the other side.

Also, they can fit through holes that are a LOT smaller than you'd think they can go through. Think: 1/2 their height/width if properly motivated.