5 days in the coop,

[Chickenhuntin]

How long should I wait to let the out to free range a fenced in yard. I would like to let them explore, But If i let them out will they run for the hills? or just not come out? My chicks are about 2 months old right now.

 

[Tracie70]

I am also new to this. But I would let them out now as long as they are supervised. Then once you feel comfortable you can let them do there things. Good luck...

 

[FiveHens]

Our chicks, once they figured out how to enter/exit, just kind of hung around. They migrate slowly, but not until they've gotten most of the good pickin' out of the area. I would guess they would just stick near the coop/run.

 

[Chickenhuntin]

Got a couple of hours of sun light left, feel like grilling, I do believe the hot chicks will do some exploring. I even made a hand carve chicken herding stick. Steam bent with a hook to keep things in order.lol

 

[lottastuff9]

I want to see your chicken herder stick! I love it.

 

[my3chickens]

The advice I've gotten from numerous people on BYC is to let them out about 30 minutes before dusk, since they will want to go in and roost when it starts getting dark, it will be easier to get them back in.....

I'm still a couple weeks away from placing mine in the coop so let me know how it works out for you!!

 

[Chickenhuntin]

They did nothing, they stay in the coop the whole time. I got the day off today, So I'll open it up once It warms up a little more. I got to modify the lay boxes and mount them out side, I feel that will motivate them to go out.lol The herding stick is My first steem bent. It didn't turn out so well. Once I get a good jig set up to make them, I'll sell them on etsy.com through my wife's store boopssodafountain (all lower case and one word) I turn the wood on a lathe then steem bend the top 2 feet to a tight hook. My next one will have a cool rooster head on it.

 

[Glenbogel06]

At first it is easiest to let them out about 30 minutes before dusk . . . as other people have stated. Although I have had several birds that get so excited free ranging that they "forget" go to back in and I end up shooing them back in to the coop. My trick is to always have a can of corn on hand. As soon as my chickens see that can or when i begin to throw out corn leading back to the coop they come running. I then stand at the door of the run and throw corn in there and the chickens all go after the corn. Once they are all in, I close the door. Easy-peasy!

And when you first let your birds free range . . . you might have to shoo them out also. They are often reluctant to leave the safety of the coop or run at first, but once they get a taste for it watch out!

 

[annie3001]

Quote:
i do the same thing for my babies that arent babies anymore...4 months old now. but when they free range at the begining i used to have food as a lure. and now i use a broom. but only short times. 30 minutes at the begnining, even if they are having fun. be in charge. especially if you need to get them back in the coop/ safely and quick.

i let them out longer now, but because they are still small, i have to be there with them. too many hawks watching from above.

good luck. it sure is fun watching babies eating bugs/grass for the first couple of times. trying out their wings.