Looking for a way to let mine free range in the woods - electric poultry netting?

[fiddlebanshee]

Black bears do not eat people for food. They will attack to defend themselves, not eat people, unless in very, very extreme circumstances.

 

[ChicknCommander]

And laws eliminate crime

 

[OwensChickens]

I live in black bear country and agree they are not a big threat to people. I hear they are more aggressive on the east coast though.

I do know bears taste really yummy and I look forward to loosing an arrow through one yearly.

 

[smartypantschic]

I am thinking of putting up electric netting for my 4 hens in my wooded backyard too! I was looking at Premier1's Poultry Net. Are yours layers? My chicks are only 14 wks old, so not laying yet, so I'm just trying to figure out if this is a good idea, I don't really have time for a daily easter egg hunt in the woods! I currently have a tractor style coop w/ run attached, and then just to give them extra wiggle room, we put fencing around THAT with green metal garden stakes, and then every week we move the whole kit-n-kaboodle. It's not terribly hard, but it's not that easy.

 

[Genevajones]

I don't know about others experience but I've never had trouble with my hens laying anywhere except the nesting boxes. I keep them confined until they're laying reliably and then free range them. Although honestly except for the occasional "surprise roost egg" they've always taken the hint from the other hens and gone straight to the nesting box.

If they start laying elsewhere (my neighbors coop) I keep them confined for a week or so and they start right back up in the nesting boxes. If you're concerned, you could always get some golf balls to put in the nesting boxes, that will attract them there.

My chickens free range with my next door neighbors', as a group, but they both return to their respective coops to lay. -

 

[smartypantschic]

I keep them confined until they're laying reliably and then free range them.
That's a good idea. I should probably wait until they start laying until I move them too the jungle ...thanks