Free Range before bed?

[nuchickontheblock]

Trueblue, please update.
Did your flock return today? I hope so. They have poor night vision, so might have just hunkered down if they got caught in the dark.

Initially our small flock, which we also got at about 10 months old last Spring, did not free range far from their coop/run. When we first got them, we didn't let them free range at all for a couple of weeks until we figured they new where they lived. Then we only let them out if we were sitting right there watching them.
Now we usually just let them run around if we are home or not. They seem to go in and out of the coop and run all day as that is where their food/water/nest boxes are.

Over time, as they became more comfortable with their surroundings, they ranged further. Our 1/3 acre yard is fully fenced in, but there are still areas they haven't explored after a year of free ranging.

It's kind of hard to trust that they will be OK if we aren't hovering around them -- kind of like kids.

 

[nikkichikki]

We did it today! I let them out at about 6:45 and they free ranged around our backyard--they didn't venture too far away from their run-- they stayed within the short grass, not the deep brush like I thought they might. They were so cute scratching, and dustbathing, and chasing bugs! They were so beautiful foraging in the flowers. While they were free ranging, I picked dewberries in the brush and they loved them! Our whole family was catching bugs for them, and after about an hour we got some chairs and sat down, had some wine, and watched what my little brother called the: "chicken channel." When it started to get dark, they each found their way back to the run and the coop, no problem. I tucked them in and said goodnight and that was that! They're such good little girls, I love them so much!

Trueblue, I'm so sorry that happened. I hope you found your babies. Let us know.

Thanks, everyone for your help. I love the byc & forums!

 

[galanie]

Quote:
The Chicken Channel is the only one I watch any more. So much better than the cable tv I had disconnected months ago!

 

[Chihuahuamom444]

That is how I do it, a few hours before bed I let them out because I have a chicken eating dog and during the day would be to difficult, so I let dogs out quick to potty, put them in house and then open the gate of the run and they come running out, they love....only thing Ive been noticing is for some reason they won't stay out long unless Im with them, Im not sure what thats about. They go back in the run and if I walk out and call them they come running and peck away at the grass etc. They Love it out there but seem to be afraid without mama standing there, they seem to stay out till they realize Im gone, and these are all adult birds, no babies