Chook Me!

Raising Backyard Chickens?

I just moved onto a 30 acre farm and live next to my landlord who has a portable chicken coop that he moves around his 'side' of the property where all the hens are free range. He is allowing me to get chickens and ducks (we also have a small pond). Since we are on a lease I cannot build a permanent coop, if I were to build a portable chicken coop would my chickens join his flock or would they stay in our yard? I only want 3 but I want the eggs to be on my side of the property and not in his coop :)

Public Comments

1. Just my opinion but I don't think your chickens will stay in your yard unless there is a fence. Are you letting your hens out loose in the yard? If so they may lay where they want. As for joining his flock, I'm not sure. I hope someone with more experience answers. Chickens have a pecking order, no pun intended. Sorry I'm not much help.
2. Certainly on 30 acres you can have your chickens away from his. To keep them happy be sure they have water, a pellet layer feed and oyster shell 24/7. They will like to be treated to a handful of chicken scratch feed and/or wild bird seed mix thrown on the ground evey day. As a special treat they love fruit and veggie scraps from the kitchen. It is likely that you will be chasing his chickens home before you treat yours. Water can be outside the movable coop but keep the feed and oyster shell dry in the coop. Close them in your weasel proof coop at night.