Chickens free-ranging for the first time

[Amyh]

My chickens are free ranging for the first time today (they've been locked in their coop for almost two weeks so they know it's home). I'm a little concerned about them going back into the coop...

We just had a thunderstorm roll through and it got really dark and poured for a few minutes and the chickens just plopped their butts down in the woods and didn't even attempt to get back into the coop... am I going to be chicken chasing tonight to get them back in there??

I am 9 months pregnant and really don't feel like running after four chickens in 100 degree heat.......

 

[Rin]

Not all chickens give a flying flop about rain. My silkies will gladly stand in torrential downpour and flooding. Don't worry. Once that sun starts to go down they'll know the way to their safe haven.

 

[BrewedInNh]

2 weeks seems long enough for them to learn that the coop is their home. Keep your fingers crossed, they might surprise you and put themselves to bed without a chase. Ours return to the coop by 7:30 most nights (8pm the latest), I just go out and secure the door behind them.

 

[Amyh]

I really hope so....... as much as the neighbors would love to see me running around chasing chickens with this giant belly, I'm sure.

 

[kimbalaya]

Ours free ranged for the first time last evening. They were only out about a half hour before it was getting dark and before I knewit, all 15 of them (about 7 weeks old) were back in the coop.

 

[Lbrad7]

They will be fine. I have over 100 birds they all file back in around 8 or so and everyone is in the coop by 8:30 at the latest.

 

[PamB]

Do you all have fenced yards? I really want to let my chickens free range eventually, but I'm afraid because our yard isn't fenced in. We live on 5 acres and far from the road. My biggest concern is that the small dogs next door (about 20 lbs) sometimes come over into the yard.

 

[Amyh]

8:30 and they are still milling around... it's getting dark.... I think the stupid birds don't know how to get up the ramp...

What do I do now?

 

[8chixNC]

My chicks trained easily to go back into the coop ~ they see me coming with a treat, and follow me right in! In this HOT weather, I bring them a hunk of cool watermelon and they go to town!

But their all time favorite treat is BLUEBERRIES!!

 

[Amyh]

Thank goodness all the hens are back in the coop. Three of them went back in on their own, the fourth made it all the way to the top then jumped back down. I had a heck of a time finding her in the woods... she decided that she prefers to roost in a tree.

Hopefully that won't last too long!!

Thanks for everyone's advice!! I guess my chickens are more of 9:00 chickens... night owls.