Free ranging my chickens

[rosawoodsii]

I just moved a hen and 6 chicks (8 weeks old, so half grown) into a new coop in my back yard. They had been at my mother's farm, and I've had to contain all the chickens there because of a fox or eagle that's been picking them off one at a time when they're roaming the pasture and yard.

I'd like to let the ones at my house out to roam, at least when I'm home. How long should I keep them in the run before they'll consider it "home" and come back in when needed?

 

[Pumpkinpup]

I have found that a week is sufficient

 

[rosawoodsii]

Oh, good. I was hoping it wouldn't take too long.

 

[cmom]

I agree with Pumpkinpup. Some may take longer at the 8 week range. As they get older the time is usually shorter. I would put some scratch grains in the coop in the evenings to get them in. Once they got used to the treats in the coop they would go in and I would shut their pop door. As soon as I opened the pop door the next day, it was a mad scramble into the run.