Define “free range”

[Vickydolittle]

For you free rangers, do you have a recall system? I’m thinking a clicker or a dinner bell vs me screaming “come home chickens!” In the big yard they have now, they do not go to the run and coop until dark. I want to be able to get them back asap as needed. They do follow my pig everywhere and I know he comes to the sound of cheerios.

I would think maybe gradually change it. So call for them while ringing a bell and shaking food and then change it to ringing the bell and giving food. You may have to start it while they're closer to the coop though so they can tell you have food. I do the same for my chickens, bit ever since they were chicks I just simply said "chicky chicky chicky" before I fed them and now when I'm out side I tell them "goodmorning chickens" and when they're ready to come in and have dinner I say "here chicky chickys!" And they come running!! So I'm pretty sure it's just a matter of routine. May take a little while to imprint something new, but I'm still new to chickens

 

[Suzz]

I think free range means different things to different people I think it means a chicken is free to move about outside being able to be with other chickens or hide from them as the mood suits them and digging in the dirt because chicken really don’t wander too far free or fenced it’s their nature to stay close to each other at least that’s what I see from my chickens

 

[Love Donkeys]

We have 56 acres, fenced and crossed fenced. When the donkeys are close the chickens will follow them out to one of the fields. They won't go more than 2 or 3 acres from the coop. On the way back, if the donkeys aren't with them, the chickens stay close to the field-fence brush line.

When we do the hay the chickens love to go over there to pick up the rodent leftovers. I think the field mice and rats commit suicide when they see the tractors show up. By 3pm I know where all the girls will be, waiting at the back porch stairs. I give out scratch-feed at 4pm. Our back porch is closed in like Fort Knox to keep the poop off. Before I closed it off to them they would knock on the door constantly and drive my husband crazy.

 

[KimbosKluckers]

Thank you all for these replies. Truly interesting. My girls come running at the sight of me (cute and annoying at the same time) I just wondered when they get more acreage if they’d ignore me. Guess I’ll find out soon enough. I can’t wait to see just how far they go away from their “safe zone.”

 

[Love Donkeys]

Thank you all for these replies. Truly interesting. My girls come running at the sight of me (cute and annoying at the same time) I just wondered when they get more acreage if they’d ignore me. Guess I’ll find out soon enough. I can’t wait to see just how far they go away from their “safe zone.”

I guarantee they won't ignore you. When they see you or especially when you call them they'll come a-running! They are hoping to get treats. Make sure you have the treats on you when you call them.......
When we want to find the Donkeys we drive down to the end of the pastures' runway with the Kawasaki Mule. We turn around and head back to the barn. In about 5 minutes all the Donkeys show up looking for their treats. (Peanut Butter Dog biscuits) No yelling, no whistling, just the noise of the Mule and the promise of a treat.......