i have just started my first small flock of 12.they are about 4 weeks old.amazing how they come running back to the coop already.all i do is step inside the coop and do a few small claps with my hands and they all commin running right back into the coop.amazing how fast they learn what that clap is.when they all show up i give them a hand full of raw oats.my wife can't believe they come to me like that already.
My chickies are about 5 weeks now and they free range, go back int their coop by themselves. Yesterday evening when I went out to feed horse they jumped back out of their coop and followed me into barn. It was so cute, so I got handfuls of scratch and they came and ate it out of my hand. They really do learn fast!
I've been so scared to try this! I'm worried I won't ever be able to round them up again after I let them out to free range. If I get brave enough this afternoon, I will have to try it. I know they'd love it, because I don't have my run done yet. Thanks for the encouragement here!
I would let mine free range but I have a tiny yard. Also the neighbors dog I know would have them for a snack. So I guess mine are going to have to stay in there run forever unless I'm there to supervise.
We have about 70 chicks coming in the next few weeks and I plan on letting them free range at about 5 weeks also. Once they stay in a place about a week or especially "grow up" in a coop, they know it is home. Now the new grown chickens that I brought home about 4 months ago I did keep up in the coop for a week and they never had a problem going back in at night. They know it is home and love to go in for treats and beddie bye time.
My wife says I sound like a raving lunatic when I yell for the chickens, BUT...they know what is in store for them and will run you over! lol it doesn't matter that I give them the same thing that is in the feeder (layer pellets) I walk out the back door, step onto the deck and yell CHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE CHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE CHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE If they are free ranging they come running. If they are cooped they go to squaking! They might be dumb...but they know how to associate a sound with FOOD!
Quote:Even if they do not go back into their coop the first night, just wait till it is almost dark and they will find a place to sleep, then you just walk right up and pick them up. Even the wildest of chickens can be caught this way. Thats what I had to do the first night!!
My little Belgian D'Anvers bantams learned this first...at 5 weeks and they are little tiny ping pongs....I do supervise them when they are out though and they go back in after about an hour. I am not so sure they are as dumb as we think they are...they sure do surprise me how quickly they learn things. take care and good luck
my chicks are 6 weeks old I let them free range and it is so cute to watch them. They see me and they come running. All of mine are pets because of my daughter. She carries them every where. They went back in the coop the very first night si I was pleased. Jenn
does anyone have a problem with the chickens leaving your property? my chicks are only a couple weeks old but in a few more weeks i'd love to let them free range but i'm afraid they'll run away...