This summer I got 3 pullets (Rhode Island reds) and had intended for them to be 100% free range. However, they kept wandering off and the neighbours were getting annoyed, so we built them a decent sized run and that seemed to be working pretty well. They would occasionally fly out, but for the most part they stayed in. However, over the past week or so they have been running away multiple times each day and not coming when I call them. Only two of the three lay and the two layers got out so early this morning that I don't know where they layed! Any suggestions as to why they are doing this? I feed them twice a day and give them scraps throughout the day, so there is plenty for them to eat.
We have 2 RIRs. Yours are probably just "adventurous", looking for new things to eat and see. That's a tricky one. I like the idea of "free range", too, and ours are free range at the moment. They do get out of our fence but mostly stay in our yard. You may have to just build them a completely enclosed area to live in, or clip their wings. They say it doesn't hurt them, but I don't like that they lose their natural protection against predators. So, I don't know. Sorry!
