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No Good Deed goes unpunished, lol, Thanks for the story, it brought a smile to my face. Its Great when we can laugh at ourselves. I am laughing WITH You,

Ha! Good answer Matt!
I am kinda against chickens here where I live. Everyone has them, and they are all free range. But, free range here doesn't really compute. Free range means that there are no actions taken whatsoever to ensure good free range. Consequently free range chickens tend to follow behind dogs, caribou and the odd cow. I have chosen not to eat local chickens.
However, I could be persuaded to attempt caged - sorry, not shoeboxed - chickens. Having only eaten chickens, I don't know what to do. All suggestions will be helpful.

Lon, have you seen anything about Joel Salatin and his pasturing methods? http://www.polyfacefarms.com/

Lolly, have now! Thanks.

My chickens are driving my CRAZY! I've killed and eaten a few of the worst offenders, who won't stay out of the yard no matter what, but still....aaaarrrrrggghh. I've read about clipping their wings, I've read about netting, and I've had no luck with either. I don't want to contain them in a coop permanently. I like that they follow the cows and sheep around, and I love their eggs. But still, aaarrrrgghhh! I don't know if there is a solution, but I needed to vent. Thanks y'all.

At least it gives my terrier something to do, she knows they are not allowed in the yard and does a pretty good job of chasing them out, but it usually takes my swearing loudly a few times before she realizes they are there.

Haha! Sorry, not to laugh at your predicament, Matt. I've given up on those stupid birds several times and keep finding myself with a bunch. I like that they eat the bugs but them little bastards get in my garden and poop all over my yard and porch.

I've had really good luck with them this year, though. The little door on my chicken house for the birds to enter and exit opens into my pig pasture. The pig pasture has a hot wire running around the perimeter 6" off the ground. My birds won't fly over it either, but maybe it's just this specific breed.

That sounds like a great set up Manny. I keep putting off building a full on containment scheme since I love having them out in the pastures with the other critters, but I'm starting to think I need to do something.

Of course, right after I wrote that I went out and found one of my broody hens had a new clutch of seven or so cruising around the pasture. MORE chickens! Aaaarrrrrggghh. Geez, they are so cute though.

Congratulations Matt, More chickens, More Chickens, Isn't that Lovely. Of course if you have too many there is always the stew pot.

Matt, it sounds like it's time for a chicken tractor.

It is Lolly, it is. I do have one, or two actually. I just have way too many chickens to fit. I need one of those giant ones now, or less chickens. I'm going to work on he latter first.