Free ranging for the first time

[jaloola]

It had to be done sooner or later...I let the girls out of the coop today and they are in the yard. I know they will be fine. It's just a little nerve racking...
Merry Christmas girls. I know you're having fun.

 

[gritsar]

Free ranging for the first time does make for nervous chickie "parents", but as you see them really enjoying themselves you'll relax. Promise.

Merry Christmas to you too.

 

[Judy]

Their Christmas message to you:

Free at last!!!

 

[jaloola]

I went outside to check and they are very happy. BUT wouldn't you know it:

Gone before I knew it but still...

 

[Moabite]

Quote:
You too? I was out moving one of my rock collections, and I notice up high in the sky there were two large birds of prey circling. Bummer.

 

[Tawodi]

Best of luck, I will be doing the same soon.
Merry Christmas

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

Those hawks just know...I don't know how, but they do. My coop has trees right outside the run door. I'll see no hawk, then let them out and within seconds there's a hawk.

 

[Sandy16]

We used to let our hens free range from sun up to sun down and they loved it! We had a scare with a hawk during the summer, so now they only get a few hours a day to free range. The first time I let them out after the hawk incident I was a nervous wreck! It gets easier and I actually made it "our" time together....I'd take my coffee and a good book outside and hang out with them. I know that there will always be a chance that the hawk will come back, even if I'm outside, but the girls are really so much happier when they get some free time in the yard. It just breaks my heart to see them in "chicken run jail". LOL

good luck!

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

I just let my 9 week old babies out of their yard to actually free-range today and they loved it!

 

[abhaya]

keep an eye on them I have hawks in the area and have never lost a chicken but mine have a woods to run into for protection