First time free ranging

[moodlymoo]

This morning I let the 3 BIG girls out to free range and Im so scared. My hubby keeps checking on me because I wont come in the house. Im quite surprised because they wont go far from the coop either. I left the run gate open so they can go in if they want to. Is this normal?

 

[bucky52]

I understand staying with them i do the same.there are dogs roaming around and i have seen a huge hawk.when i first let my hens out to free range.(i only have three) they would stay togather and stay right beside me.but after they became comfortable.they all split up and i couldn't even keep up with them.i have people tell me all the time that they have lost so many of their chicken by letting them free range.in order to keep them safe mine free range very little.

 

[ChestnutRidge]

Mine also started out that way. In the beginning, they stuck close to the coop, maybe for two months or so. Then they became bolder and bolder, and now I have to go out and tempt them back up the hollow before they walk down the driveway - and they are cooped on the back of my 3-acre property and only range for a few hours in the evening.