First free-range for the girls.

[Appalachickens]

The chickens range from 12 1/2 weeks to 18 1/2 weeks so it was time they get to explore the larger world. Unfortunately, with the way the door of the coop is set, it’s really difficult to get the chickens in and out that way, so we decided to build in a chicken-sized door at the back of the run. Two of the older girls, Flossie and Minnie helped with the tools.

Once the door was ready, they were curious but it took some doing to convince the first one to hop through.

Finally, one after the other the 13 piled out.

One they were outside, they had a big time exploring.

And they discovered the compost pile! Lots of scratching to be done!

It started raining, so we herded them back with BSF and grapes as enticements. I still ended up having to pick them up one at a time and put them through the little door. But they’ll learn.

 

[thecatumbrella]

Great photos! Looks like they had lots of fun exploring the outside world. Thanks for sharing!

 

[fluffycrow]

Those are some lucky pullets! Their land looks excellent, many forage and cover options. Would love to see more photos of them exploring the property

 

[Appalachickens]

Great photos! Looks like they had lots of fun exploring the outside world. Thanks for sharing!

Thank you - they sure seem to love the freedom!

 

[Appalachickens]

Those are some lucky pullets! Their land looks excellent, many forage and cover options. Would love to see more photos of them exploring the property

Well, you don't have to ask me twice! Yesterday I lead them into a fenced in area I call the mini-orchard (over-optimistically, since it's so shady in there), and they had a blast, taking long low flights and sampling all the greenery. But the funny part was they got to meet Cowboy, the cat who often hangs out by their coop. Mostly they ignored each other, although they all came up to have a look at him. One chicken snuck up behind him and pecked his tail, which resulted in him yowling and taking cover behind me.