Arizona Chickens

[igorsMistress]

I have 8 hatched out from my tan Naked Neck eggs, and only one of those has the fully feathered neck, so that's good for me. The last chick that hatched just had a tiny hole in it's egg, but got itself out by the time I went out to the coop and then back into the house. Wow, that was fast!

for chicks!

 

[starri33]

Hi , I am considering letting my chickens out to free range a little bit in the evenings, say a 1/2 hour to a hour before sundown, for those of you who free range, how did you introduce them to it?

 

[igorsMistress]

Hi , I am considering letting my chickens out to free range a little bit in the evenings, say a 1/2 hour to a hour before sundown, for those of you who free range, how did you introduce them to it?

I just opened the door. They're curious, they'll go out.

 

[cactusrota]

Hi , I am considering letting my chickens out to free range a little bit in the evenings, say a 1/2 hour to a hour before sundown, for those of you who free range, how did you introduce them to it?

You MAY have a hard time getting them back on your own schedule. They will come back, but it may not be until sunset and time to go pick their roost for the night. I lost a good hen that way while I was out of town, let my hubby's cousin take care of the flock and he tried to let them out earlier in the day and get them back in before they were ready. One was left out and the dogs got it in the morning.... :'(
It's a good idea to do a head count every evening with a flashlight, to make sure everyone made it back in and isn't trying to sleep under the porch or something.

 

[starri33]

You MAY have a hard time getting them back on your own schedule. They will come back, but it may not be until sunset and time to go pick their roost for the night. I lost a good hen that way while I was out of town, let my hubby's cousin take care of the flock and he tried to let them out earlier in the day and get them back in before they were ready. One was left out and the dogs got it in the morning.... :'(
It's a good idea to do a head count every evening with a flashlight, to make sure everyone made it back in and isn't trying to sleep under the porch or something.

They got supervised time out..lol, sat out there with them till all were back in the run and most were in the coop settling down for the night. Just to make sure none got missed, I did a head count.. had to feel sorry for Speed Racer (My Roo) he was doing his best to get the girls in the coop and they weren't listening, I did find out though that they will listen to the coffee can with the scratch in it. Speed Racer was taking his protection duties seriously or making sure none of the girls snuck out..lol, had most of them on the top perch.

 

[City farm]

Hi , I am considering letting my chickens out to free range a little bit in the evenings, say a 1/2 hour to a hour before sundown, for those of you who free range, how did you introduce them to it?

I start out with 1 hour. Only because I want to watch them and see what they eat and where they go. I have tossed out some cat food as a treat to get them started..

 

[cactusrota]

They got supervised time out..lol, sat out there with them till all were back in the run and most were in the coop settling down for the night. Just to make sure none got missed, I did a head count.. had to feel sorry for Speed Racer (My Roo) he was doing his best to get the girls in the coop and they weren't listening, I did find out though that they will listen to the coffee can with the scratch in it. Speed Racer was taking his protection duties seriously or making sure none of the girls snuck out..lol, had most of them on the top perch.View attachment 1738785 View attachment 1738787 View attachment 1738788

Awwwwwwww!!!! Good boy!

 

[starri33]

Was proud of him, I'm learning his vocalizations, his warning noises, found food, pay attention and last night his get in the coop sounds..lol. He hid who and what he was when I had another roo, once that roo went to the big run in the sky, he let out a crow the very next morning.

 

[BlueBaby]

@Michelle Guynn It look's like Emma's babie's will be hatching today. A paint silkie hatched, and there's another one that has a hole in the egg.

I'm up to 9 chick's now that hatched from the tan Naked Neck egg's, but 2 of those have the fully feathered necks on them so I can't use those 2 for my breeding plans with those.

 

[SonoranChick]

Cora carries the egg basket for me when we walk down to the coop to collect eggs now it is so sweet! But she will also let go of the handle, and eggs smash to the ground and break...so I have to be careful lol. Learned that the hard way yesterday.