Hi everyone,
I love this site and you all have been such a terrific help for me. It's so nice to be able to come here and get answers to all my dumb questions.....I love it!
This is my question for today.
I got my hens about a week and a half ago. They used to free range before we scooped them up and transported them to a new world. My back yard. A nice coop and run fit for a queen. They have been slowly adjusting. Shirley, my NH Red has been wonderful. She is the first in line for treats, and comes up to me now. She even took a few bites of scratch from my hand. She makes all kinds of noise when she see's me. She's such a sweetie. For the last few days, she has been asking me to let her out of the safety of her run. I really want to, but the man who sold me the birds said to wait a few weeks before letting them out. ( By the way, I never had any intention of free ranging...hence only 3 birds ) I want to let Shirley out. I was thinking that I could let her out a half hour before sunset and just stay with her as she explores. Would that be ok? Then I can help her make her way back to the coop. I don't think she would go very far from the coop that late in the day. Any thoughts on this? I'm thinking of doing it this afternoon. They usually head inside around 3pm and get ready for bed. They like to start early. So I thought I would let Shirley out at 2:30 and stay with her. It would be a short experience if all goes well. I'm hoping she sticks close to the coop and wants to go back in soon after coming out.
Thanks for your thoughts!
Nancy
I love this site and you all have been such a terrific help for me. It's so nice to be able to come here and get answers to all my dumb questions.....I love it!

This is my question for today.
I got my hens about a week and a half ago. They used to free range before we scooped them up and transported them to a new world. My back yard. A nice coop and run fit for a queen. They have been slowly adjusting. Shirley, my NH Red has been wonderful. She is the first in line for treats, and comes up to me now. She even took a few bites of scratch from my hand. She makes all kinds of noise when she see's me. She's such a sweetie. For the last few days, she has been asking me to let her out of the safety of her run. I really want to, but the man who sold me the birds said to wait a few weeks before letting them out. ( By the way, I never had any intention of free ranging...hence only 3 birds ) I want to let Shirley out. I was thinking that I could let her out a half hour before sunset and just stay with her as she explores. Would that be ok? Then I can help her make her way back to the coop. I don't think she would go very far from the coop that late in the day. Any thoughts on this? I'm thinking of doing it this afternoon. They usually head inside around 3pm and get ready for bed. They like to start early. So I thought I would let Shirley out at 2:30 and stay with her. It would be a short experience if all goes well. I'm hoping she sticks close to the coop and wants to go back in soon after coming out.
Thanks for your thoughts!
Nancy