Wandering Pekins

[madamiec]

I have a little group of 5 Pekin, 1 ?, 2 Khaki/Rouen mix, and 1 mallard that are usually allowed to free range on our 82 acres. Well, last week they were following my husband along the driveway as he was blowing leaves and now they all go down the driveway (1/4 mile) and hang out in the swampy wet spot in the woods. They have always stayed by the house and pond (nobody swims, go figure) since it's the only non wooded part of the property. Can I break this or am I going to have to fence them in?
We go get them and they are all dirty and having a good time but I'm sure a critter is going to eat them if they keep it up. I hate to keep them in the pen all day until I can supervise.
I have to keep all my birds locked up tight at night due to raccoon, weasel, owl and coyote incidents.

 

[Amiga]

Around here, I have made the choice to give them as spacious, clean and comfy a safe day pen I can for times I cannot be with them. My runners and buffs would do the same as yours. Once they find a really nifty spot, they remember and want to return.

This morning, Romy is trying to break my heart, because she scooted under the fence and made the perfect little nesty spot among the sedum. As I told her, it's a wonderful little place, but not safe enough for when I am not here. Nevermind I don't want her in the sedum, that is a secondary concern.

Whenever I am tempted to let them roam a little too far or for too long, I tell myself, "dead is dead, Girly, you won't be able to bring them back." And I make sure they are as safe as I know how to make them when I am not right with them. And I have no guarantees that what I do will always be 100% effective, so I am not patting myself on the back, here.