adult chicken in a new home when do i let them free rang???

[bridgetteanne]

We just got 11 hens and 1 rooster from friends of ours. they are 2 years old. we have built them a nice place to stay with everything that they will need. We have a fenced in area for them now, but would like to let them free rang as well. My yard is NOT fenced in and we have neighbors on both sides of us. is this something im going to be able to let them do once they get adapted to there new environment?? or will they run off? we are new to chickens and would love all the help we can get. thanks so much.

 

[heather454ss]

Personally i would give them a couple days in there new coop to get settled and then you should be able to let them go. They will hang around and may even wander to the neighbors but they will go in there coop when its time (dusk) for them to go to bed. i let mine wander and they come back in the evening.

 

[mmaddie's mom]

Quote:
Agreed... feeding in the pen for a week or so will help them know that it is home... they will wander, so I hope the neighbors like them.
... btw...

 

[DanEP]

First. After a few days in the run they will now where home is,but they will roam as they get used to the new area.It does help if you feed treats in the run. We have a bell on the run and ring it when we want them to come home. Its amazing to watch them run from 4 or 5 hundred feet away for a sunflower seed but they will. A chickens appetite is bigger than its brain use it, feed them well and they will always come home.