Free ranging my chicks... Chickened out;(

[hollilynn]

So, I let the 11 and 9 week old chicks out of the coop for the first time this evening. But, after five minutes I totally chickened out

I enticed em back in to the run after 5 minutes!!! They were getting too close to disappearing into my neighbor's field. Should I have given them more time to explore and would they have ventured far? They seemed to really enjoy it, but they were also very good about filing back into the run after I sprinkled some chicken crack

We are surrounded by open fields with plenty of predators... I am a bit nervous about letting them loose.

So, was I a bit hasty in returning them to the coop so fast or could they have disappeared into the field?

 

[Firbrd]

You at least got farther than me. I've got 10 week olds and still a little worried to let them out of the run. Thinking of getting some cheap fencing to block off the road and some of the woods. Maybe help keep them In a certain area. And we have a groundhog living somewhere beyond the tree line.

 

[hollilynn]

I would feel more comfortable with some type of fencing too, rather than giving them complete access to everywhere! It was surprising to me how quickly they returned to the run after I sprinkled some treats in there. I thought it would be much harder but that part was easy. Good luck with your first "outing" when you decide to go for it!

 

[dikbiscuit]

I'd fence off an area for them if you're concerned about predators and them wondering into other's property.

 

[Firbrd]

I would feel more comfortable with some type of fencing too, rather than giving them complete access to everywhere! It was surprising to me how quickly they returned to the run after I sprinkled some treats in there. I thought it would be much harder but that part was easy. Good luck with your first "outing" when you decide to go for it!

Thanks! That's good to know, I'll be sure to have some treats for them in the evening in case they forget to come in. I'm hoping it won't be a problem they go in by themselves already. Good luck to you!