Free range questions

[lilfoot]

Have been allowing my 31 laying hens some free ranging on nicer days.
Just got 15 new girlies on Sunday (2 days ago!) & we are having a gorgeous
mild spell.
Can I let the new batch out with the original hens to free range?
Will they stick together or would the new ones run off?
They are not in isolation....been together 2 days so.....?
What do you think? Leave inside bit longer or risk it?
Thanks!
Sandy

 

[canada-goose]

How old are the new birds?

 

[chicmom]

I always keep my newbies locked up in my enclosed coop and run for about two weeks before I let them free range. That way I know they have established the coop as their new home, so they'll come back at night. I think 2 days is just a tad bit early. (Just my humble opinion.)

I know what you mean......I would want to let them out too in this beautiful weather we're having here in Ohio.

 

[HEChicken]

The new girls really should have been quarantined for 30 days before being introduced to the rest of the flock - too late now. However I agree that it is too early to let them out to free-range as they don't know where home is yet.

 

[lilfoot]

ya I thought way too soon...but it really is lovely & warm for a change.
Just thought maybe there was a chicken rule saying they always stick together LOL

the new ones are 15-20 wks so a tad younger than our just started laying hens.

 

[keetsms]

I bought two Buckeye pullets and I left them in the coop for about two weeks before letting them out. They still stayed close to the coop even when the rest foraged quite a distance away. They are almost a year old now and they range further away but don't always stay together. I did buy a rooster and he helps keep the flock cohesive.

 

[eastbaychicks]

If the weather is nice and they've spent any amount of time in the coop I'd personally let them out. But I have a small yard with fences all around. If you let them free range... just keep an eye on them so you know where they go if they don't go back to the roost. At least you can put them in. It's really hard to find a chicken that's decided to sleep up in a tree for the night.

You could always use a temporary fence to let them out in a small area just outside the coop. That way they get sun and are still near the coop if you don't have a run. Lowes has some plastic fencing that I used for some babies last summer. Worked like a little play pen.

I vote they get to go outside.