A nice day out with the flock.

[ldel4567]

It was a nice day out with the flock. The chicks are now two months old and are growing by leaps and bounds.

I am still not sure, I want them to stay out all day; as they are very reluctant to go in, unless they get spooked. These birds seem programmed to face what ever trials are coming their way. Maybe, I have gotten better at not worrying as much.

I did some reading up on crows. I wanted an experts opinion on their behavior, to see if they were a threat to the flock, at all. The information seemed to indicate that crows face the same predators as the chickens do: Hawks, squirrels, racoons,etc...
I would hate to have the chickens snatched up by a predator. I guess, if you are gonna let them free-range,get used to it.



They like the woods, and stay in it, most of the time. I think it is the safest place they can be, outside of the coop.

 

[sfw2]

Looks like they are having a ball, scratching around under the trees.

 

[MsBagawkbagawk]

Awwww, they're very pretty.

 

[ldel4567]

Thank you, for your kind words. I am finding they are very independent. I sit outside with them but they do have so much fun, I find myself out of the loop. They know what they are looking for, and seem to know how to handle themselves. There was a hawk in the neighborhood that put me on guard, though.

 

[MsBagawkbagawk]

Yeah, we have like 3 hawk nests out here. I just chase it away (Department of Game and Wildlife, disregard this), although they've learned how to take care of themselves. The girls are a lot smarter than the boys. One of my roos went berserk when a butterfly flew over, and the girls just ate it. You'll be surprised how smart they are about staying safe.

 

[ldel4567]

I wonder about my rooster.

 

[kaybats]

What a great shot of them! So pretty.

 

[Nike]

Awesome! I'm glad I'm not the only one who has young chicks freeranging and worries about them lol.
Mine seem pretty good they are very watchful and if anything flies overhead they go back to the coop. So I hope they stay safe and learn well. I bet the woods provides gerat saftey for you.

 

[ldel4567]

Well, yes and no about woods safety. The hawks have a harder time seeing them, but then there is the fox. The fox has been sited by me in broad daylight,while my chickens were right around the corner, from where the fox was- behind the house. The darn thing comes trotting out of the woods, across the lawn and encounters me ( the chickens were out of site,but barely). Startled, it turned tail and took off.
That so far has been my best defense- startle them. I had a bear come out of the woods once. Again, out with the flock in the yard. Minding our business. I just happened to look up, and a black bear was right at the edge of the woods. My first reaction- clap to chase it off, and it worked. But, I was so freaked ou,t that I scrambled around the yard, to get the hens back to the coop, as quickly as possible. I couldn't believe it!.
So with my new flock I am relying mainly on the foliage until the fall. Then, to rely on the hens coloring and markings, which I think is perfectly suited as camouflage. I hope it works.

 

[blueyzjg]

Mine don't like to back in when they have been out either (unless its bedtime) But a little corn in my hand then thrownin the bottom of the coop, it is all it takes. Jackie