- Jul 10, 2015
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Most likely, the first time, they won't go very far, so it should be easy to get them back in when evening comes. By the time they've gotten brave enough to explore wide areas, they will have also learned to go back inside at evening.
When I first got my birds, I wasn't intending to let them free range. I planned for them to stay in their mobile pen until one day I left the door open and they got out. They seemed so happy, and they behaved well and didn't go far, so I started letting them out every morning under supervision. After about half an hour I would herd them back into their pen. Their outings got longer and longer until eventually they were out all day long. Every evening I herd them home, although usually most of them will already be hanging around their pen by the time I get there.
I don't think food always needs to be available. They can have regular meals. I prefer offering food two or three times a day. If it's always available, it can attract wild birds and other animals. Also, they're less likely to forage and find their own food if they can hang around the feeder and gobble free food 24/7.
When I first got my birds, I wasn't intending to let them free range. I planned for them to stay in their mobile pen until one day I left the door open and they got out. They seemed so happy, and they behaved well and didn't go far, so I started letting them out every morning under supervision. After about half an hour I would herd them back into their pen. Their outings got longer and longer until eventually they were out all day long. Every evening I herd them home, although usually most of them will already be hanging around their pen by the time I get there.
I don't think food always needs to be available. They can have regular meals. I prefer offering food two or three times a day. If it's always available, it can attract wild birds and other animals. Also, they're less likely to forage and find their own food if they can hang around the feeder and gobble free food 24/7.
