Man those things like to range

[laurenlulu]

I was given hens 4-5 days ago, and I let them out to free range for the first time today. They took off! They're about 1/4 mile away right now, all over my (not so nice) neighbor's woods. I dont know why I thought they would stay in my yard...

They will come back, right?

 

[EweSheep]

Should have kept them in their coop for at least a week. Will they come back? They may or may not. For that distance, I never had chickens forgaging that far.

 

[Imp]

No personal experience here, but most recomend that you keep chickens locked up for 2-4 weeks. So they will regard their new coop as home. Good Luck.

Imp

 

[Chicky Tocks]

You might want to try to round up your chickens. That's an awful long way from a coop that they've only known for 4-5 days. Got a big fish net?

 

[ranchhand]

Sounds like it's time for a hike! Get some scratch, bread, lettuce, whatever you have- and go after them. Lead them back home with food and then confine them for a week or so.

You have to lead with the food and herd them from behind- it really helps if you can round up a helper! I do it alone, with a long stick from behind to shoo them and running in front with treats in between.

Good luck, hope the neighbor doesn't see!

 

[laurenlulu]

well, magically at dusk they all hopped into their coop and settled in on their perch. I guess they're just used to a lot of space. That is wild- they ranged ALL OVER today. Right when it started getting dark I saw them single file walking towards the coop

I actually have a fence that seperates my yard from the neighbors- I should go ahead and fix it now, huh!!

 

[B. Saffles Farms]

Hey Lauren, I only keep my new birds that Im gonna free range up for about 3 or 4 days, but I only let one out a day untill I get them all out. Havent had any trouble with them going to far.

 

[Crazy_For_Chickens]

I'm glad they came back!!! That was a pretty good story of how people can learn from their expiriences!!!

 

[Chicktastic]

I'd lock them up for a little bit. Tonight may have been luck.

It will be a pain but it is much more of a pain if they pick another roosting spot, believe me!!

 

[Chicken03]

Keep them confined for a few days. Let them out a couple at a time and see what they do. If they continue to range out that far you might have to put up fences.