Free range for the first time

[Devon07]

After a week of my 10 being coop'ed up, Yesterday I finally let them free range for a few hours (trying to see what I'm up against) it was time to get them back in the coop, it went fast and easy!.....just as I thought it was too easy I figured a count was in order.....I was out for the whole time with them and never heard even one problem......well, I counted only 9 about 5 times and realized I'm missing one I frantically started searching everywhere and figured something sly got her..... I was really bummed because I was watching them AND it was the first day out (thought free range was going to end as quick as it started) turns out she was in the shade under some trees and stuck in some briars....I did the simple rescue and the rooster let me know he wasn't happy about her screaming as if she was being mistreated.....LOL when I got her back in the coop the roo ran to her and checked to see if she was okay. Today they had a few hours again and only had to run of a dog that wanted nothing to do with the chickens after seeing me. They were all in the coop early and it told me there was trouble near. Tomorrow they will have all day......I'm trying to find a comfortable way to ease them and me into this.

 

[krista74]

Ha ha, stressful isn't it?! I kept my 7 locked up for 7 days then hubby convinced me to give them some freedom, so we started letting them out into their run at 4pm, hoping they would come home to bed at 5 when it got dark.

I'll never forget the first time I let them out. All that went through my mind was "That's the last I'll see of them!"

I was quite surprised when I went back at 5.30pm and they were all tucked up in bed, quietly clucking to each other and apparently (1) Happy and (2) Not eaten by a fox!

I gotta tell you, I've had my chickens a month and a half now and there is not a single day I don't worry about something! Their feed, their stress levels, their housing. Luckily, this is balanced out somewhat by the absolute joy I get when one will eat out of my hand, or let me pat her back as she darts by, or lays an egg!

Letting them out to range gets easier, but it's good not to get complacent about it. I let mine out at 11am each day and will check on them three or four times while they are out, and head-count them at night. You can't be too careful!

Hope you get as much joy from yours as I do from mine

Krista.

 

[wermnmnmnm]

Mine are still in the house and are 5 weeks old. I have taken them out 2 times and they absolutely love it and stay near me... My cute story of the day:
The chickies heard an airplane and came flying back to me at a full run... they were so scared! I live in the burbs so they have to get used to traffic, planes and sirens... good luck little chickies.
They will always be watched though, because we have a fox, hawks and owls... I only have 4 so keeping an eye one them should be okay...

 

[Devon07]

Krista....LOL. I enjoy them more than I ever thought possible, I just never realized the level of strees that was to come with it. I have two that really like me and the others are okay with me...lol so, they are fun to be around....the RZooster really likes me as long as the girls are happy, otherwise its game on with him. Its all been worth it even if I dont get any eggs.....speaking of eggs Im going to check. They are 23 weeks and a X of BA and RIR....searching for eggs daily when I clean.



Werm, When I come home everyday its common to see Deer, coyotes, Racoon, and everything you can imagine in between....its a jungle out here....something wants my chickens and I know it. Ive only had then two weeks and Ive used my gun three times to scare off critters.



DEV

 

[krista74]

Good luck on the egg hunt! My birds are cranky with me after last night's debacle - I had to catch my 4 RIR's to remove some leg tags which were getting too tight, and apparently I frightened them half to death. They were huddled in the corner of the coop crying until I picked them up and arranged them on their roost in the right order!

How much sleep do you think I got last night, lol

I wouldn't be surprised if mine withheld eggs purely out of vengeance today. Currently I've got 5/6 laying, which considering it's now Winter is amazing.

The RIR's actually came on fairly late - I reckon they are about 24 weeks old. Yours shouldn't be too far off laying now either. Are they showing interest in their nesting boxes? Mine never squatted (and still don't) but before they started laying, they ALL had a weird screaming session a day or two before hand. That's how I knew they were coming on to lay.

I'm sure it won't be long for you now Enjoy that first egg - there is nothing like it!

Krista

 

[Devon07]

Mine act like its murder then the next minute its all "cuddles" lol they are strange creatures! This morning they seemed happy to see me and stayed calm for the whole visit....tossed them some cabbage and they went to town....my two favorite girls came near me to eat and the others stayed with the roo, I dont get it.

I understand the lack or sleep! lol crazy birds.....or rather crazy humans, I suppose.


Winter? where are you from?.....I always think people I talk to are up the road. lol

I dont notice them showing any interest in the nestbox at all.....they stay out all day and rarely go into the nesting area until evening to call it a night. I havent seen any squatting yet either. I wanted that first egg while my son was home to see it and get it......this summer he has been to London, Paris, Scoutcamp for a week and leaves today to go to Aviation STEM academy for a week and is only 12 years old. lol He loves the chickens but hasnt had time to bond with them yet. Im excited about the eggs but Im being patient - Im doing the organic thing and really would like to get my eggs out back rather than trying to find them elswhere - everyone seems to have a twist on their Organic and I want purely organic....call me crazy but if it makes us feel better then thats how it will be.





DEV

 

[krista74]

Hi Devon

I'm in Victoria, Australia. We started Winter officially around 1st June. So far, we've had a LOT of rain and some fog, but not many frosts. We don't get snow where I am though, so I'm grateful for that!

I wouldn't worry too much about the eggs. They will come! RIR's are well known for being good layers so once they get cracking you will be Googling "How many eggs can I eat safely in one day?!" I had two of my girls start laying just this week and they are about 24-25 weeks old. I would say 'Not long now' if your girls are around the 23 week mark. Do they have big red combs and wattles? That would be a good sign they are coming on too.

Also, just in case, don't forget to do a sweep of your free-range yard for hidden eggs from time to time. They could be laying a secret stash somewhere, hoping you won't find it. Tricky, tricky little things they are

Good on you for doing the organic thing too. I don't go overboard but I do give my girls and George lots of fresh vegies, and they free-range 5/7 days a week on average. They give us eggs with beautiful golden yolks and they are delicious. Except George of course. He's a bit of a free-loader, ha ha!

Best wishes, Krista.

 

[w8ing4eggs]

Do certain breeds begin to lay at different ages? I have read that they should lay around 18 weeks...but if yours just started at 24-25 weeks I've got a while to go! I have three that are 15 wks and 7 that are around 11 weeks. I'm NOT very patient! LOL

 

[Devon07]

krista...that was funny on the Googling comment! thanks for the wishes....I,ll post my flock when the first egg shows up. I have a free loader also, but I'll keep him....I'm enjoying the pet side of this as well.

Australia?.....cool! Can't wait to visit some day soon....it's on my bucket list. .



W8ting4eggs.....I'm not sure but I suspect breeds will vary. Good luck

 

[krista74]

W8ing4eggs, yes, certain breeds will come on to lay at different times, and even within breeds some birds will come on faster than others anyway. The good folk on these boards with more experience than I will be able to let you know which breeds those are.

Whilst some breeds can start laying at 18 weeks (and certainly you should have nest boxes prepared by then), many won't start until later on. I was told that the Orpingtons start fairly late, but mine started before my RIR's!

It's just a waiting game I'm afraid. The real and true answer is "They'll lay when they're ready" which doesn't help impatient folks like you and I

Devon, speaking on behalf of the whole of Australia, we would be delighted to have you over one day, ha ha!!!

Krista