free range

[Bobbi4]

I have 2 Questions, My chicken are about 16 weeks old now and I would like to start letting the out into a 1/2 acre paddock to free range! What is the best way to do this! Do they come back to their coop to roost naturally? Also , does anyone keep a fan in their chicken coops? Do they help[ them stay cool? Thanks!

 

[aart]

Also , does anyone keep a fan in their chicken coops? Do they help[ them stay cool?

I do have a fan which kinda helps cool down the coop....but.....
Deep all day shade is best but....I don't have much of that.
This has worked very well to keep heat stress/stroke at bay:

I give a dose of Sav-a-Chick electrolytes/vitamins about once a week during heat waves.
It really seems to help....started this after they saved a heat stroked hen once.
Can mix up a smaller amount, just wrap the packet tight and store in a dry cool place.
Always have plain water available too.

BIG(9x14x2") chunks of ice last all day for wading, sitting, and sipping.
Much more useful to the chickens than frozen foods and treats.

Make space in your freezer!

 

[SueT]

Yes, they'll come back as dusk approaches and go in to roost on their own. I like to be out there just to make sure everyone gets in.
I used to keep a fan in the coop, but over the years, trees grew up around it and it's now in the shade.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Absolutely, outdoors is the best place for your chickens during the day. Remember, they are birds! Just like their wild counterparts, they will go to roost at dusk, and you can close them up to keep them safe from predators. Enjoy your birds!

 

[Ridgerunner]

Do they come back to their coop to roost naturally?

Yes, they will. But be out there at dusk to see if they need help. I've had some get across a fence at bedtime and desperate to get back to the coop, but they totally forget about that gate they have been using all day. I had to herd them about 10' along the fence to the gate so they could get to the coop.

Chicken TV can be better than anything on cable, satellite, or network. They can do some silly things.

 

[Matejka]

Mine are 17 weeks. I let them out at dawn and count heads and close the coop at dark. They have been free ranging since they were7-8 weeks old. Got my first 2 eggs yesterday.

 

[Bobbi4]

Mine are 17 weeks. I let them out at dawn and count heads and close the coop at dark. They have been free ranging since they were7-8 weeks old. Got my first 2 eggs yesterday.

Do you have any trouble with Preditors? i live on 50 acres and am scared Owls, hawks, raccoons, will get them during the day. night they are safe

 

[SueT]

Do you have any trouble with Preditors? i live on 50 acres and am scared Owls, hawks, raccoons, will get them during the day. night they are safe

I stopped letting mine free range because of hawks. Now I'm seeing a raccoon around 7 pm, and my run isn't all that secure. Until I trap it, I will be standing watch every evening till they go to bed.
Mine free ranged for years with occasional losses after which I'd lock them up for a month or so. I would raise replacements each year. But after the last hawk, I think in January, I haven't let them out.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Do you have any trouble with Preditors?

Any time you free range they are at risk from predators, even if you are there with them. People have said they had a fox or hawk take a chicken within a few feet of where they were standing. Obviously you being present is a deterrent but it's not an absolute guarantee.

Some people can go years with no losses or really minor losses. Other flocks can be wiped out as soon as you try it. Some people have huge problems with predators, some don't. Some people may go years without problems then all of a sudden they are wiped out. I don't know of any way to predict it.

 

[Matejka]

Do you have any trouble with Preditors? i live on 50 acres and am scared Owls, hawks, raccoons, will get them during the day. night they are safe

We have predators. We have 10 acres, across road is 250 acres, left side is 600+ acres, behind us 290 acres, ride side-only neighbor- 10 acres of junk carsb gal drums, old rv's and and everything else then another 250 acres. I cannot stand to keep chickens penned, so we take our chances. There are lots of places for the flock to take cover, and lots of places for predators to hide. 1 loss to a hawk, pullet was 5 weeks-hadn't learned to hide.