Free ranging for the first time

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Fran57

In the Brooder
Jul 29, 2017
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Hi, I am a first timer and have just homed 3 bantams about 8 weeks old. I plan on keeping them in their coop/run for 2-3 weeks then allowing them daily access to free range in my secure back yard. How do I go about this? Once I open their coop door and release them, will they go back readily? Is there a better time of day to release them? I thought of denying them access to their coop/run/feeder when free ranging in the hope that they would willingly run back in. I would welcome any advice please. Thank you.
 
Fran57 said:
Hi, I am a first timer and have just homed 3 bantams about 8 weeks old. I plan on keeping them in their coop/run for 2-3 weeks then allowing them daily access to free range in my secure back yard. How do I go about this? Once I open their coop door and release them, will they go back readily? Is there a better time of day to release them? I thought of denying them access to their coop/run/feeder when free ranging in the hope that they would willingly run back in. I would welcome any advice please. Thank you.
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They'll go back in all on their own when the sun starts to go down. Do NOT limit their access to feed run and coop! They'll want to lay, and they'll want feed. When free ranging, they will prefer that over their feed, but it should still always be available.
 
Despite their small size bantams can get some pretty good airtime when motivated. If they are spooked they make take to the trees and will be difficult to find. I'd recommend you create a bantam friendly yard-lots of places to hid from predators and a net to prevent them from flying over the fence and to stop hawks from snacking on them. Good luck! Bantams are so much fun!
 
Welcome aboard! :frow
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Mace Gill said:
They'll go back in all on their own when the sun starts to go down. Do NOT limit their access to feed run and coop! They'll want to lay, and they'll want feed. When free ranging, they will prefer that over their feed, but it should still always be available.
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Many thanks for good advice. I will follow it. The first night in their run I had to pick them up and place in coop as they had nervously huddled in a corner at dusk. Next night they took themselves off to bed. Quick learners. It is still a learning curve for me but only having them 4 days I am already smitten. This site is great for advice and info. Thank you.
 
drumstick diva said:
Are hawks a problem in your area? Banties make a fast snack.:(
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We occasionally get hawks but they are pretty rare. Chicken outside yard is sandwiched between high walls, building and house so hopefully my girls will be safe. I am home a lot and they will only be out when I am there. It is always a worry weighing up their safety against pottering around outside having fun for a few hours a day rather than being stuck in a coop/run 24/7.
 
theoldchick said:
Despite their small size bantams can get some pretty good airtime when motivated. If they are spooked they make take to the trees and will be difficult to find. I'd recommend you create a bantam friendly yard-lots of places to hid from predators and a net to prevent them from flying over the fence and to stop hawks from snacking on them. Good luck! Bantams are so much fun!
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Thank you. They have a stone built shed which they can access, various shelves, bales of straw, wheelie bin and oil tank which if need be they could hide behind. Also shed is nice and cool in hot weather.
 

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