I'm new to chickens (8 babies in a brooder and 5 rescued "almost" adults) and every day I learn new things watching these babies grow rapidly. This website has helped tremendously so I'm hoping you will forgive what may be dumb questions.
In regards to the 5 juveniles (4 pullets that should all be laying soon and a 3ish month cockrel that doesnt seem to crow), I built a decent size coop/pen for them last weekend and would like to start letting them out to free range daily. I have a few questions about this:
1. Do I just open the door for them and hope they will go out to explore?
2. Do I have to go find them each evening or do they naturally want to come back? They absolutely LOVE their Scratch n Peck feed so that is an incentive for them to come home.
3. Do they typically like to lay eggs in the coop or will they all start to lay outside?
4. How far do chickens usually roam? I live on 5 acres.
Since they are rescued they haven't been handled much. I have 3 of them eating out of my hand daily now but two seem to loathe me.
I appreciate any guidance you can give!
In regards to the 5 juveniles (4 pullets that should all be laying soon and a 3ish month cockrel that doesnt seem to crow), I built a decent size coop/pen for them last weekend and would like to start letting them out to free range daily. I have a few questions about this:
1. Do I just open the door for them and hope they will go out to explore?
2. Do I have to go find them each evening or do they naturally want to come back? They absolutely LOVE their Scratch n Peck feed so that is an incentive for them to come home.
3. Do they typically like to lay eggs in the coop or will they all start to lay outside?
4. How far do chickens usually roam? I live on 5 acres.
Since they are rescued they haven't been handled much. I have 3 of them eating out of my hand daily now but two seem to loathe me.
I appreciate any guidance you can give!