First day of free ranging - I'm in love

[Ironmaiden]

6 feet tall! It's a chain link. It goes quite a way. At least 1/4 mile. I am no judge of distance, but I think the previous owner of the house spent alot of $! Grape jelly! Mmm. I dunno, I just feel bad that they can't come out. If I didn't have a boyfreind I imagine I would let them out anyway. Which makes no sense.

 

[scooter147]

My guess is they won't go over it. To much effort with all the ground they have to explore.

 

[PhilErvin]

We let our girls and roo out in the morning before we go off to work and in the evening we simply lock the door on the run to keep them safe. All day they wonder around doing what they do and they take refuge under all the fruit trees. Our back yard is fenced off from them so the dog (Border Terrorist) is not able to eat them. My roo does a wonderful job of protecting his girls so I don't worry.

 

[sheila3935]

I have a 6 foot tall privacy fence. So far the only thing that lurked around for a while was a cat and that wasnt very long with my crazy hubby and his red rider bb gun Where I live not too many predators and 4 dogs on other side of fence that knows to stay away from my girls. As far as hawks not very many round here and they have lots of areas to get away. Right now I figure most wild animals have an abundance of food, but come winter that'll be a different story. We usually dont see too many wild animals til winter. But there is always someone home and our girls let us know if there is something or someone around thats not supposed to be. Plus the dogs do a good job of that too.

 

[Ironmaiden]

I just need to not worry so much! Grandma had them out and they went all over. Night peeps! I'm outta here! Goin home!

 

[gryeyes]

Letting my flock free range was the best thing I've ever done, bar none. And that's not just hyperbole. The pleasure from watching them enjoy themselves so much is palpable. When my best friend calls in the evening and I don't answer the phone, she has learned that I'm outside spending quality time with the chickens.

Quality time with the dogs and cats is INSIDE, after dark, gathered together on the sofa. THAT she's familiar with - but now she no longer sounds snide when she asks, "Quality time with the chickens, huh?" when I return her calls.

I really enjoyed sitting in the run on a plastic chair before free ranging. This or that pullet would come visit, maybe jump on my lap, tell me chicken stories. That was nice. But sitting in a chair on the front porch and watching the chickens expand their horizons - and NOW they're returning to their favorite dust bathing spots, or where the best bugs gather, or chasing a moth across the yard - is so much better!

Individual pullets still come up to tell me chicken stories, sometimes they come in twos and threes and we have a little confab. They don't jump on my lap much any more, but this is still the best time of my day.

And when Carl the rooster brings me a pretty leaf, and drops it at my feet, I am ..... fulfilled.

 

[Lbrad7]

Mrs. K :

Do periodically, call them in with a treat can, sometimes you might want to round them up, before 8:00.

As to telling people who understand, yep we do, what I am wondering is what is wrong with the rest of the world. ;-)

This is the best advice I have seen on the forum today!!! If you have something come up and have to get them back in the coop in a hurry, there is nothing worse than chasing the girls around the yard. If you follow Mrs. K's advice it will make your new found free ranging life a lot less complicated.

Good luck! If you can keep them safe, free ranging birds are a lot more healthy and happy.​