Trip to the Woods?

[WallyBirdie]

I routinely watch and check on my flock, but I was busier today than usual.
This evening when I went to gather my birds and herd them in, they weren't all there, and they weren't in sight. I herded most of them into the run which is connected to the coop, and then I set out to find my missing birds.

My biggest fears were:
the road
runaway birds
and predators.

Thankfully I didn't have to search for long.
I simply got a cup of feed and rattled it, called for my birds, and my lead rooster popped out of the weeds along the woodline, and he was followed by a line of hens.

I opened the door and they all marched right into the run. All safe and accounted for.

In all the years I've had chickens, this is the first they've gone into the woods.
Is this trip to the woods okay? Should I actively try to prevent that?

We do have predators but they are mostly nocturnal...

 

[imnukensc]

Why do you have to herd your birds in? Mine free range daily and go into the run/coop on their own each evening. Mine also go into the woods, but usually no more than 10 yards or so. Can't say as I like it, but I'm not going to expend the energy to try to stop it, either.

 

[WallyBirdie]

Why do you have to herd your birds in? Mine free range daily and go into the run/coop on their own each evening. Mine also go into the woods, but usually no more than 10 yards or so. Can't say as I like it, but I'm not going to expend the energy to try to stop it, either.

It's been customary since my oldest set of hens. They go out early for free ranging, the doors are left open so they have the option of going in and out, and towards the evening I just take a quick walk around to herd them in.

I rattle some food or treats and they follow me, or some run ahead. It's a nice routine. I've always done it.
I herd my guineas and chickens to their respective abodes.
Yes, if left on their own, they do go in. But I'm more comfortable keeping an active count.

If they aren't far into the woods and are relatively safe and easy to call for, I suppose there is no problem. But I wasn't sure how safe that was.

 

[aart]

We do have predators but they are mostly nocturnal...

Many will hunt at dawn and dusk...or full on daytime if they are hungry enough.

But I wasn't sure how safe that was.

It might be safe... until it's not.

 

[WallyBirdie]

Many will hunt at dawn and dusk...or full on daytime if they are hungry enough.

It might be safe... until it's not.

Wise words.

 

[Mrs. K]

In my experience, the more you free-range, the farther they will go. Predators often times will start to pick you off if they are out every day. I find by not routinely letting mine out from dawn to dusk, I have a bit better luck, the predators don't get to predicting the routine, and the birds stay a bit closer.

So sometimes I let them out all day, sometimes just part of the day and sometimes not at all. I do have a very large run. Mine are content to stay in or go out.

Mrs K

 

[Folly's place]

Chickens came from the jungle in SE Asia, and like to be under trees and shrubs. There's shade, leaf litter, bugs, worms, and lots of entertainment there. Also there will be predators, but that's true anywhere when they are outside.
Mary