Am I crazy - First day free range

[Chickaroo!]

Congrats to you! I've thought about letting mine free range, but just don't have to nerve to do it. I think that on nice days that I can stay outside with them, I'll give it a try.

Are you chickens wings clipped? Did any try to fly?

 

[birdlover]

Mine free range but I have lost some to predators in the past...hawks and fox. All of us who free range will eventually lose at least one or two. I try to keep a close eye on them and if I see a hawk or fox around, I pen them up for a couple of days. That usually works as far as the preds going somewhere else to look for food. Some use a baby monitor to listen for trouble when they're in the house. I had one but it broke. I need to get another one!

I know what you mean about watching them. This is my 5th year with chickens and I still get a charge out of seeing their antics. Have fun; be careful.

 

[ZuniBee]

Whooo hooo.... I waited until it got dark and went to look in the coop and they were all their on their roosts. They have had a blast. I'm going to let them out tomorrow again!

 

[JenniferJoIN]

Congrats on surviving your first day of free-ranging!! Mine love it outside, but when they see the house door open, they run thinking someone is bringing out treats!

What's the temperature where you're at?

 

[Wildsky]

How'd it go? WoooHoooooooooooooooooooo - I've yet to let my girls out all day

 

[ZuniBee]

I have always been worried about letting them out of the fortress I built. But it is worth the risk..they enjoyed it way too much.

It was up to 45 today...it's been much colder.

 

[bantymum]

Fantastic!!! well done, I was the same on my first freerange day, I sat there most of the day and just watched them having a blast.
You will find less spiders and snails and your coop will smell much nicer too.
This is a win/win. I wish all chookies could explore gardens like ours do .
I understand there a preds in other areas and they need to be imprisoned, however if people let theirs out for a few hours only, they will know what they are missing and squark all day long wanting to get out again.
I would love to live somewhere in the bush but I know that I would need to lock mine up 24/7 so Im staying put!! talk about Nutz, putting my chooks feelings before mine!!

 

[McGoo]

I bet they'll sleep well tonight! congrats

 

[1acrefarm]

I enjoy letting mine freerange plus it saves a tremendous amount of feed. I kind of hate it that come spring the gardens will keep them cooped more.

 

[ZuniBee]

I let them out again this morning...they were yelling at me as soon as I walked out the door! After about an hour my wife started yelling that there was a big white dog. I ran outside and there was a huge husky type dog. We have NEVER seen loose dogs and know this one doesn't live around here. He ran off.

I immediately checked the chickens and they were all fine. What are the odds?????