Age to free range? And more questions! TIA

[ErvinFlock]

In west NC.
I have six, 8 week old pullets plus (rescued) four, 5 week old chicks and roo. Working on integration with the two groups.) I want to eventually free range and lock up at night. What age or behavioral cues will I use to know they are ready to be let loose to free range? Cringing!
When free ranging, do I feed only in evening once locked in for the night?
How can I keep my eggs if they are free ranging? Keep them locked up in am and FR in afternoon/ evening?
Is there a free reneging thread I’m missing? I have so many questions!
TIA

 

[BaaKaaawk]

Hi, I live in NC too. So I'm not trying to be mean or rude here, I'm being helpful- just sometimes text can be hard to understand the tone!

So be aware if you free range you *will* lose birds. So if you're not ok with that, you may want to reconsider. Also, chickens the age you have are just so easy prey for most predators. Hawks will literally pick off every chicken you have in a matter of days or weeks at that size. Hawks will also kill full-size birds, but the smaller- the easier. You really need much more adult birds than you have to free range- and even then predators are sly and efficient.

As for connecting your two flocks, they are all so young that you can literally just toss them together at this point as long as you have enough room for them all. Introduction rituals really only apply when you are introducing new adult birds to an existing flock with an existing pecking order. Many people just go way over the top on introductions even then- but young birds toss them together they will figure it out in no time.

If you do free range, which is fine I do it- make sure the birds have tons of cover and don't let them out really early and lock them up as early as they go in. Foxes strike first thing, coyotes too. Lots of critters strike at night. Hawks strike all day long. Kind of sucks to be a chicken, but such is nature.

Welcome!

 

[RojoMarz]

I started with teaching the girls to come to me, when I call here chickie chickie chickie and bang on a metal pole that supports the run. They then get treats.

Once I was fairly sure they can be "called" home, I started letting them out of the run, for small amounts of time and while I am there to supervise. We are up to about 30 minutes, twice a day. They stay close to the coop/run and frequently run back "home" when they get spooked. We've been doing this for a couple weeks. They are almost 16 weeks old now.

 

[ErvinFlock]

Hi, I live in NC too. So I'm not trying to be mean or rude here, I'm being helpful- just sometimes text can be hard to understand the tone!

So be aware if you free range you *will* lose birds. So if you're not ok with that, you may want to reconsider. Also, chickens the age you have are just so easy prey for most predators. Hawks will literally pick off every chicken you have in a matter of days or weeks at that size. Hawks will also kill full-size birds, but the smaller- the easier. You really need much more adult birds than you have to free range- and even then predators are sly and efficient.

As for connecting your two flocks, they are all so young that you can literally just toss them together at this point as long as you have enough room for them all. Introduction rituals really only apply when you are introducing new adult birds to an existing flock with an existing pecking order. Many people just go way over the top on introductions even then- but young birds toss them together they will figure it out in no time.

If you do free range, which is fine I do it- make sure the birds have tons of cover and don't let them out really early and lock them up as early as they go in. Foxes strike first thing, coyotes too. Lots of critters strike at night. Hawks strike all day long. Kind of sucks to be a chicken, but such is nature.

Welcome!

Thank you!
My neighbor free ranges and I don’t think he even locks them up at night. I am ok with loosing some, circle of life and all that. Are you still able to collect the eggs?

 

[ErvinFlock]

I started with teaching the girls to come to me, when I call here chickie chickie chickie and bang on a metal pole that supports the run. They then get treats.

Once I was fairly sure they can be "called" home, I started letting them out of the run, for small amounts of time and while I am there to supervise. We are up to about 30 minutes, twice a day. They stay close to the coop/run and frequently run back "home" when they get spooked. We've been doing this for a couple weeks. They are almost 16 weeks old now.

Thanks for the reply! I love hearing how everyone does things differently. I like the loud noise so if they are further away they will be able to hear you!

 

[BaaKaaawk]

Thank you!
My neighbor free ranges and I don’t think he even locks them up at night. I am ok with loosing some, circle of life and all that. Are you still able to collect the eggs?

Not locking them up at night is irresponsible. Free ranging is one thing, but you have to lock them in a coop at night to give them a chance. Chickens can't see in the dark so they literally have no defense and will just sit there while something eats them. It is a horrible way to go. I sure hope your neighbor isn't actually that naive. You're not for sure! So lock them up!

 

[ErvinFlock]

Not locking them up at night is irresponsible. Free ranging is one thing, but you have to lock them in a coop at night to give them a chance. Chickens can't see in the dark so they literally have no defense and will just sit there while something eats them. It is a horrible way to go. I sure hope your neighbor isn't actually that naive. You're not for sure! So lock them up!

Oh yes, the plan all along has been to lock them up. I even have an extra baby monitor I put in the coop because I love watching them and I can keep a listen out for anything suspicious. I wonder if any of his chickens will end up integrating with ours and come sleep in a safe coop at night.

Thank you for your reply!

 

[BaaKaaawk]

Oh yes, the plan all along has been to lock them up. I even have an extra baby monitor I put in the coop because I love watching them and I can keep a listen out for anything suspicious. I wonder if any of his chickens will end up integrating with ours and come sleep in a safe coop at night.

Thank you for your reply!

Depends how close they are. Sadly chickens aren't really smart enough to determine "her house is a lot safer than ours!".

Well YOURS will be in great shape then once they're ready!