I just began free-ranging my flock, for the first time this week.
They have all lived in the coop and run their whole lives, and know this to be home.
My yard is about an acre, half of which is forest. They wander all over that land, even in only the few days they have been at it.
They do not stay "in the yard" at all.
They do come immediately to the sound of me shaking the feed bucket, knowing something yummy is about to hit the ground.
I don't leave them out as late as bedtime, and tend to bring them in a couple of hours before dusk, or earlier, if I can't be home to "listen" for them.
It has cut back on their feed, but while the hens do come home to lay, they tend to lay less eggs while out free-ranging, than when they are kept in their run. They have never layed anywhere but their coop in nest boxes, so I am confident they aren't laying anywhere else (yet).
Best of luck with yours!!!
They have all lived in the coop and run their whole lives, and know this to be home.
My yard is about an acre, half of which is forest. They wander all over that land, even in only the few days they have been at it.
They do not stay "in the yard" at all.
They do come immediately to the sound of me shaking the feed bucket, knowing something yummy is about to hit the ground.
I don't leave them out as late as bedtime, and tend to bring them in a couple of hours before dusk, or earlier, if I can't be home to "listen" for them.
It has cut back on their feed, but while the hens do come home to lay, they tend to lay less eggs while out free-ranging, than when they are kept in their run. They have never layed anywhere but their coop in nest boxes, so I am confident they aren't laying anywhere else (yet).
Best of luck with yours!!!