Backyard transitioning to free range on hobby farm

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bgame

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Aug 24, 2016
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Newer chicken owner, just hatched my first set of eggs in August. 14 chickens, 5 roosters for sure. Need to thin those out! Just bought a hobby farm and moved our backyard chickens with and looking for advice on how to transition them to free range.
 
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If you just moved, I'd give the chickens a couple of days inside the coop (and fenced run if you have one) so they'll know where "home" is. Then turn them loose while you're around to keep an eye on things. Around sunset, they should know to go back into the coop. Sometimes I'd have to shake the treat jar (plastic jar with corn & sunflowers in it) to get their attention, that always got them back inside.

Good luck and congrats on your new place!
 
Thanks! We've been here just over 2 weeks, let them out the first time for about 20 minutes, but they were pretty apprehensive. They have been in their coop without a run since we moved. There is no run... was hoping to free range but there seems to be something living under the coop so I'm apprehensive about leaving outside unattended. And i have 2 under two so it is hard to watch them outside, the coop is a ways from the house.

Another question, the coop is kind of near the road. Do i have to worry about them going on the road or will they see the cars and stay away? It is a country highway, 55mph but not constant traffic... thanks!
 
Hi and welcome to BYC - thanks for joining us.

I'd be inclined to move the coop as far away from the road as you can, and when and if finances allow - fence your property.

Good luck with your new farm
CT
 
Thanks, unfortunately, and fortunately, it is a larger coop that we aren't able to move. I hope on the fir future to build a bigger one when we get more chickens and put that close to the house away from the road, but this is it for now.

There is a hill and a considerable amount of brush between the coop and the road... should this suffice or should i try to put up some fencing?
 
You should try to put up some fencing. As to roads, you know how much chickens love to cross them, or just sit in the middle waiting to get hit. There are also nasty drivers that will deliberately serve to hit chickens or anything else in the road. Chickens don't understand cars or traffic, most dogs do not either. If something is going on under your coop it may be rats or worse. They are attracted to the chicken feed but, will gladly kill chicks, chickens, and go after eggs.
 
G’Day from down under bgame
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Welcome!

Good luck with your new venture; very exciting!

I hope you enjoy BYC. There are lots of friendly and very helpful folks here so not only is it overflowing with useful information it is also a great place to make friends and have some fun. Unlike non chicken loving friends, family and colleagues, BYC’ers never tire of stories or pictures that feature our feathered and non feathered friends
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