Moving from city to country - any advice?

[RedWolfTX]

Hi all, need some advice/opinions.

Later this year, we'll be moving out of Austin to a five acre property in the country. At our current home, our ladies have the run of the fenced in back yard - there's not much of a worry of dogs/coyotes getting them, just maybe hawks (and in five years, that's not happened yet).

At the new place, there isn't a fence to keep them in. Also, the neighbors have about 20 hens and a rooster, who also wander around.

How do I keep my girls safe, and how do I keep my small flock from being assimilated into the neighbors? (I'm sure that crowing Romeo next door will be an attraction!)

I'm planning on moving their 10x5 Wichita Cabin Coop to the new place, so I'm not too concerned about anything getting in to that - it's pretty secure against predators, unless something is really determined and digs down under the buried concrete blocks it's bolted to.

 

[CluckerFamily]

If you can install a fenced in area, I would. You can always make the are larger.

 

[BleuSaphir]

You could always make a larger perimeter area by fencing around the coop new location. That way your chicken can have a large pasture to run around while being confined without venturing into the neighbors property territory.

 

[B-Goock]

Thats country life. When I was a kid we didn't fence ours in. They roamed the barnyard & fields. Then again we had 100 acres or so and the closest neighbor was half a mile away.

Build a covered run. Maybe fence an acre or so for a semi free range area. Getting to know the neighbors and if their birds free ranging becomes a problem a polite diplomatic discussion could be done. I'm assuming you bought vacant land? If so they didn't need to fence theirs before because their birds weren't bothering someone.

My old neighbor built a fenced lot right next to my property. He raised a couple hogs in it. Occasionally I'd throw food scraps over the fence. Put up with a lil stink. I'd let my chickens free range. Occasionally they would be in his yard. I'd get some sausage when he'd butcher. He'd get some eggs occasionally.
After he raised the hogs on that lot the next yr we both planted our gardens on his property. He even shared straw for my nesting boxes. Sometimes when I cut wood I'd drag a log over for him to cut up.
Hopefully you'll have some good neighbors like that.

 

[3KillerBs]

The best way to keep your hens at home will be to fence the area you want them to stay in.

 

[wf1992]

We have a completely enclosed run for days they don't get out to free range, so I don't have to worry about the coyotes, eagles, raccoons, etc when we're not home. When I do let them out, as long as they have enough to keep them interested, mine don't wander too far. Whenever ours start getting a little over ambitious, they're pretty easily redirected with some temporary fencing of rebar & bird netting or snow fence. Permanent fencing is coming as soon as I figure out where I want it tho, because as much as I love seeing them in the yard, I'm tired of them pooping on the porch and scratching in my flower beds!

Whatever you decide, plan for the future - 5 acres is room for a lot of chickens

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

It might be worth investing in some electric poultry netting to give your flock some nice free ranging while not worrying about land-bound predators (or the flock wandering off to see the neighborhood heart-throb).

Enjoy the country spot!

 

[Elyrian1]

Good fences make good neighbors. This is true in the country as well. I'd look into putting up a perimeter fence on your five acres at your earliest convenience. Additionally, I've heard ranging a goose with the flock is good aerial predator deterrent. About coyotes and other land based predators... A string of electric wire at nose height and top edge of any run would probably handle most potential snack attacks. Coyotes don't just hunt at night, after all, and they can clear a six foot fence with relative ease if they're hungry.

Additionally, consider a colored leg band for your chickens to set them apart from the neighbors, and consider whether you are okay with clipping their wings to keep them in whatever fencing you might put up. We had ours in six foot high fencing and still had to clip because a few girls were that determined to escape.

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

Additionally, consider a colored leg band for your chickens to set them apart from the neighbors, and consider whether you are okay with clipping their wings to keep them in whatever fencing you might put up. We had ours in six foot high fencing and still had to clip because a few girls were that determined to escape.

Good call on the leg bands!

Ha ha...on wing clipping and birds jumping fences...a lot of that depends on breed, for sure. A heavy breed isn't going to jump a fence of any height (think orpingtons, etc.) - meanwhile, my new Whitings (blue and green) will take flight and jump a 6 foot fence like it's nothing. Wing trimming is the only thing that MIGHT stop that!

 

[Alaskan]

I think you will need to fence.

Yes, horribly expensive... but it will be SO MUCH better than the alternative.