I finally let go of my fears and opened the run door last night. The chickens exploded out of the run for their first time ever, and made it about 7 feet out before they realized they were walking past lots of tasty grass and bugs. It's awesome just watching them free-range... digging, scratching, and pecking away.
What I didn't plan on was rounding them back up at dark. I had read that chickens instinctively return home to their coop as it gets dark. Well, my chickens may not have that instinct yet. They stayed out until quite a while after their normal bedtime, walking around and exploring. I don't know if they were just thrilled to be out and free, or confused about where to go, but I had to round them up and herd them back home.
Tonight they were not so keen on the idea of being herded. They wouldn't go where I was willing them to go. Finally, after trying to reason with them, then bribe them, and then play follow-the-leader into the run, I found a swimming noodle in the yard. At the first sight of that 4 foot blue foam noodle waving around at them they high-tailed it to the run, and FAST!... wings flapping and all.
Hopefully I don't have to scare them into their run every night, but I do plan on keeping that noodle handy for the time being.
What I didn't plan on was rounding them back up at dark. I had read that chickens instinctively return home to their coop as it gets dark. Well, my chickens may not have that instinct yet. They stayed out until quite a while after their normal bedtime, walking around and exploring. I don't know if they were just thrilled to be out and free, or confused about where to go, but I had to round them up and herd them back home.
Tonight they were not so keen on the idea of being herded. They wouldn't go where I was willing them to go. Finally, after trying to reason with them, then bribe them, and then play follow-the-leader into the run, I found a swimming noodle in the yard. At the first sight of that 4 foot blue foam noodle waving around at them they high-tailed it to the run, and FAST!... wings flapping and all.
Hopefully I don't have to scare them into their run every night, but I do plan on keeping that noodle handy for the time being.
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