Maybe a stupid question

[ChickenAl]

Quote:
It would be safer (relatively speaking) if you are out there with the chickens when they are ranging. Hawks are a problem and a covered run would be best when you are not there to scare off the hawks.

 

[Renthorin]

My run is 6 feet high and covered but their paddock is not covered. It is made of about 400 feet of 4' high snow fence that winds its way through the woods between my house and the dirt road.

I've seen them get a running head start and jump/flap about two feet off the ground but never at the fence...just after the other chickens into the brush. When I got them, their wings were clipped so that probably has something to do with it but I really think they have no desire to leave the paddock. It's so large that they can wander all over the place and not feel confined.

Mine all head back to the coop about 30minutes before sundown. I never had to train them. From day one...they just knew where to go.


Will