Free-ranging advice?

[Aji Dulce]

Yeah, like I said, it depends on the breed. I wouldn't expect most breeds of bantams to take on a hawk. I've seen these Pene roos make the aerial predator call and each flock of hens would flee into the coop or under brush and the roosters would just stand their ground facing the incoming hawk. When the hawk swept down to attack one of the roosters, the rooster flew up to meet it and took the hawk out of the air. Then the rooster slowly strode back to his flock as the hawk struggled to get to its feet and fly off.

Yeah, like I said, it depends on the breed. I wouldn't expect most breeds of bantams to take on a hawk. I've seen these Pene roos make the aerial predator call and each flock of hens would flee into the coop or under brush and the roosters would just stand their ground facing the incoming hawk. When the hawk swept down to attack one of the roosters, the rooster flew up to meet it and took the hawk out of the air. Then the rooster slowly strode back to his flock as the hawk struggled to get to its feet and fly off.

Yeah, like I said, it depends on the breed. I wouldn't expect most breeds of bantams to take on a hawk. I've seen these Pene roos make the aerial predator call and each flock of hens would flee into the coop or under brush and the roosters would just stand their ground facing the incoming hawk. When the hawk swept down to attack one of the roosters, the rooster flew up to meet it and took the hawk out of the air. Then the rooster slowly strode back to his flock as the hawk struggled to get to its feet and fly off.

The rooster flew up to meet the hawk and took it out of the air? Oh my, what a sight that must have been! Truly amazing and awesome.

 

[Aji Dulce]

I have heard to let them out for the first time, late in the afternoon after they've eaten thei fill. They always go one last time to the feeder and fill up one last time. So if they go to bed at 8pm like mine do, then at 7 pm let them out. You will be out with them to keep an eye out. They will return to the coop and it won't be a long session of being outdoors. By the way, mine are just 10 weeks and I think this week we'll try their first outing.