Does anyone have unfinished run, but let their chicks out? If so, how?

[mithious]

Wow, I hadn't thought about the netting, thanks

next time I am in town I will check into it...maybe run some from the cabin to their coop??? It's not that far away...thank you..and yeah, If I can't figure out a way to pen them this way, I think you are right and will have to keep them in!!! For their own sakes...hard when it's summer, lots of bugs for them and grass to eat...even planted some mint by their coop, so they could run through it...

Thanks so much!!!! I will check out that poultry netting though...but will not risk them, if I can't find any...much appreciated!!!!

 

[mithious]

Just to update, I went online and found some wildlife netting, 100' long by 7' high for $13.48 and some bird netting 14' by 14' for $5.98

I think I could rig up something from their coop, to the cabin...may not be the best solution, but will let them out, and slow a predator, as I will be with them at all times, while they are in it...my landlord will hate it but that will get him to motivate the manager to get the run done ROFL...and since the landlord ( lives in Boston ) is in this journey with me, he can't throw me out for improvising

Landlord wants everything to look perfect, be perfect...this could work on both fronts, get the run up quicker and solve the temporary problem inbetween!!! I'm so excited!!! I won't have to close the door to the coop with 30 eyes, 15 birds, looking at me with such sad looks soon!!!!

I think, if I run it to the coop from cabin then top it with the bird netting, that should work fine...I can go back and forth to their coop right through it...and water my front garden right from the porch...will have to buy a staple gun and staples, so that will add to the cost, but atleast the young uns will be able to get out and have some fun!!!! SAFELY!!! I should probably only let them out in the late afternoon, early evening, as I will need to stay with them...atleast it is out for them though

They will be sooo happy!!!

I think I can scrounge enough bricks, ect to keep it to the ground too, so chicks can't slide under...whooppiiee, you made my day!!! and my chicks thank you!!! Think I will be taking a trip into town tomorrow

Thanks soooo much for the idea!!!! Thank you, thank you thank you!!!!

 

[TOP KNOT]

How old were yours when you let them run the yard and did they stick close to you or go exploring at the age you let them free range. Also, are you near woods and brush, where they could hide or open fields?

Thanks so much!!!

My chickens (All 26 of them) are very tame, they range, it seems where I range. So I try not to go where I don't want them to go when they are out. They do, mostly, stay pretty close by. We have woods out back, they don't go there (I don't go there) They do like to hang out under my pine trees for the shade. They do venture out into the horse pasture and onto the manure pile. (Those are places that I go) They have, several times up rooted my new mulch around my house, so I just keep the rake handy. Its really funny....when I let them out after work ALL of them follow me back to the house before they scatter out! I am the lady with the food!! HA!

 

[mithious]

My chickens (All 26 of them) are very tame, they range, it seems where I range. So I try not to go where I don't want them to go when they are out. They do, mostly, stay pretty close by. We have woods out back, they don't go there (I don't go there) They do like to hang out under my pine trees for the shade. They do venture out into the horse pasture and onto the manure pile. (Those are places that I go) They have, several times up rooted my new mulch around my house, so I just keep the rake handy. Its really funny....when I let them out after work ALL of them follow me back to the house before they scatter out! I am the lady with the food!! HA!

Ha ha ha, yeah, momma person, with the food...Thank you soo much for that info...when they are bigger and I try truly free ranging them, I will definitely follow your method! Makes perfect sense since they imprinted to you for food and their Momma...when they are out, I will make sure I don't lead them, er teach them to go places they shouldn't...just like momma chicken would do! GREAT idea!!! Thanks soo very much!!!

 

[TOP KNOT]

Ha ha ha, yeah, momma person, with the food...Thank you soo much for that info...when they are bigger and I try truly free ranging them, I will definitely follow your method! Makes perfect sense since they imprinted to you for food and their Momma...when they are out, I will make sure I don't lead them, er teach them to go places they shouldn't...just like momma chicken would do! GREAT idea!!! Thanks soo very much!!!

I also have 5 turkeys that I pasture. They also follow me around and FREAK if I leave them. I asked my husband to check the raspberry bush out back to see if it was ready to pick. Well his trip out there showed the turks where the yummy purple berries were. On his next trip out there with his pail in hand they followed again. He could not believe they ate every single berry as high as they could reach!!!

So then he walked over(about 150 feet) to the other bush. It was so nice of him to show them where the other bush was!!! They practically striped it before he could get any picked!! OMG!! So the only real berry harvest that we got was from the bushes on the other side of the fence!! So our flocks do learn a lot from us!! Chickens and turkeys!!