Free Range Instinct?

[calman5565]

Hello all,

I am a first time chicken owner with 12 three week old RIR's, Black Giants and Brown Leghorns. I am planning to have these chicken be free range for all the benefits from nutrition to my wallet. When they go out in the coop and I let them out, will they know to come back? find bugs and edibles outside? avoid predation? Will all this stuff be instinct on their parts or is there something that I am going to have to do? Please let me know what you think.

Thank you so much.

 

[Kevin565]

Hello all,

I am a first time chicken owner with 12 three week old RIR's, Black Giants and Brown Leghorns. I am planning to have these chicken be free range for all the benefits from nutrition to my wallet.



When they go out in the coop and I let them out, will they know to come back?
They can learn this but this usually takes a few tries


find bugs and edibles outside?


Yes but unless you have adequate space I'd still suggest free choice feeding layer feed


avoid predation?

Chickens will usually avoid predators but when you free range you will most likely have losses to predators

Will all this stuff be instinct on their parts or is there something that I am going to have to do? Please let me know what you think.

Thank you so much.

 

[cooped up]

You should keep them in the coop for about a week, then they will know where home is. As to the predator aspect, they will be open game for the predators especially on the ground ,if they don't have a fenced in area to roam. My chickens have a run and they instinctively look up for danger.
As chicks they are already scratching the groud looking for goodies, they are born with all their instincts.