Vince still hasn’t had time to get the permanent runs made for the chickens. We did go to Abilene Friday to Lowe’s to get the fencing material that we can’t get here. We’re getting closer!
I think it was week before last that every day some of them escaped. Two one day, then we’d work on the temporary fencing and think we had it fixed, then four would escape. When we finally thought they’d never be able to get out, 12 of the 14 escaped while we were eating dinner. We had a good laugh over that fix! 
Then we seriously worked on the temporary fencing and didn’t have an escapee all week. This morning I came out of the garden to see this. Ladybug! I don’t think that’s where you’re supposed to be!
We still haven’t figured out how she escaped so we haven’t fixed anything. You know what that means . . when I go back out there next, they’ll probably all be out!
If you wonder why we don’t let them run loose . . one afternoon last week Vince had gone out with Speck. We only take him out on a leash. Speck was ahead of Vince, who was still on the porch and I guess the hawk wasn’t paying a lot of attention and swooped down towards Speck when Vince started yelling and flapping his arms.
I know that’s just the way things work on the farm but I don’t want a hawk getting my chickens. So, they’ll stay confined to a run that will be covered . . as soon as we get it built. For now, they’d better take my advice and stop escaping!
Linda in NE says
Those chickens of yours sure are determined to be free-range chickens!
Jo says
Oh yeah, my guineas used to do that…haven’t had an escapee in 3 years…covered the run with chicken wire . Make sure yoy bury your fencing wire about a foot in the ground so nothing can dig its way in. Racoons, owls and hawks are the worst predators for pur birdies.
pdudgeon says
that happens in the city too. A friend of mine who lives in a well developed, shaded suburb has had a hawk dive bomb her cats when they were outside and close to the house.
Sue in Scottsdale, AZ says
In the past year, we have had two very bad experiences with hawks or owls in our area. We do live in the city although we have big lots – commercial acre. Last July we lost our beautiful 3-year old mini-dachshund (about 6-7 lbs.) to a large bird who stole her out of our backyard. We did find her the next day but it was too late. She had been killed. In February another one of our dogs – a Pomeranian Chihuahua mix (about 12 lbs.) was attacked in our backyard. She was able to get away but she spent over a week in the animal hospital on oxygen and IVs and then had to have several surgeries. She is doing fine now but she won’t go out without me or my husband and is very skittish at loud noises. We’ve lived in this home for almost 23 years and this is the first time we have had a problem. A couple of weeks ago I saw a huge hawk sitting on our pool fence. It is getting really scary for small animals around here. Our next dog will be a big one – at least 35 lbs or so!
Cindy B. says
I know Vince loves the flexible white pipes. What about a Quonset type enclosure? You could zip tie the plastic netting to the curved pipes. Or use longer pieces and pipe fittings.
Penny J Holliday says
Judy ~ maybe you have an escape chicken like one of our miniature horses. He’s very happy to not only let himself out from his own stall in the barn by reaching over the door & through metal bars & moving the slide lock w/ his teeth but once he escapes he will let his buddies out of their stalls, also. Actually we had to put a stop to that ~ his door w/ metal bars for the top half that exits into the main hallway of barn has a chain w/ padlock & his solid door to exit to his outside coral has 3 different type locks~ very inconvenient for us but necessary!
Penny in So CA