Free Ranging Bantam Breeds

[Ridgerunner]

Would it be beneficial to wait until they're all laying before free ranging them all day? Are they more mature and likely to come home once they begin laying?

They've been in that new coop and run for two and a half weeks. If you let them free range they should return to that coop and run to sleep.

It is possible they will move into the main coop and sleep with the other hens on their own, I've had that happen. You may have to eventually move them yourself if you want them to sleep together. I've had to do that too.

They are living animals. It's possible they will decide to sleep in trees as Folly mentioned above. I consider that unlikely, not sure how often she's had to deal with that and what the circumstances were, but with living animals it is possible. At some point you are going to have to face that possibility. But since the older ones will not be running them out of the different coop they are now sleeping in, I consider that a lot less likely. I'd open it up and let them free range with the others and see how it goes. You may be pleasantly surprised.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

As a personal example, when I opened my two coops tigethwr, it took about 5 days for the little ones to decide they wanted to go into the main coop

 

[Egg Snatcher]

@HeatherKellyB even clipping bantam wings won't keep them from flying. Bantams like to sleep up in trees to so if they decide to not sleep in the coop you might look in the trees. Silkies can't really fly so you'll be fine with them. If you can't find some the could be broody some were too. Also if you have a predator problem set live traps to cetch it.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Can you get another picture of her left shoulder/wing? (The picture's right side)

Just wanted to let you know that I believe you meant to post this elsewhere.

Thank you all so much. I really appreciate your help. I'm going to pick up a net today and will let them try free ranging tomorrow. Hopefully all will go well. Thanks again for all of the help from each one of you

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Just wanted to let you know that I believe you meant to post this elsewhere.

Thank you all so much. I really appreciate your help. I'm going to pick up a net today and will let them try free ranging tomorrow. Hopefully all will go well. Thanks again for all of the help from each one of you

Oh yes, thank you

 

[jojopetlover]

I have had LF chickens for a little over a year. I added a few silkies and bantam cochin 11 months ago and other than their size, there hasn't been much difference in free ranging/keeping them. This past March I added a flock of OEGBs, Japanese Bantam, Booted Bantam, and Pyncheon chicks. They've always had a roof or netting of some kind over any run they've been in. I recently separated the bantam pullets due to the over aggressive mating of the bantam cockerels. I always let the hens and pullets from all of my flocks free range together in the evening while my daughter and I spend time with them. Earlier this evening, I decided to open the bantam pullets coop to see if they'd like to join. After quite a bit of hesitation, I convinced one to fly to me and two others went in separate directions. They decided to fly around instead of interacting with the other hens and pullets on the ground. These girls can really fly! I knew they were capable of flying as they fly often in their run, but they can actually fly really well (I know it's not a surprise to anyone reading this but imagine my surprise when my precious, FAVORITE, brand new laying OEGB took OFF flying like a wild bird)! So, my question is, do you just allow them to fly wherever and know that they'll not stray too far and come back before dark? Do you clip a wing (or would you need to clip both wings on a smaller bird?)? Or just keep them in a large covered run? Thank you in advance. These birds (and BYC) teach me something new every single day!

Hi - I am really interested to see how things turned out for you. We have always had a small flock of silkies free ranging in a medium size backyard inner city. T they have generous sized coop that we have never closed - they seem to know when to wake up and when to go to bed. After 12 years predators haven’t been an issue - but we only have one 6 yr old lovely silkie left. So, we picked up some day olds that are now 6 weeks old - x1 Japanese bantam, x1 polish pullet, x1 autralorp roo (and none of the silkies made it). We are really worried about the flying capabilities of the Bantam and Polish - they will easily scale the neighbours fences and end up in another backyard with dogs. What to do?!