Free ranging questions

[Kaesi2020]

Hi everyone! We have 6.5 week old chicks here (6 of them) that we plan on letting be free range part of the time. We have a nice new coop with a decent size run to keep them in when we are not home/able to monitor them and when weather is bad. I do have some questions though for those of you that let your hens wander your property....

-Do you leave your chickens out to free range if you are not home (ex. Leaving them outside while you go to to work for seven hours)? When and how long do you let them be out on their own?

- any tips for free ranging chickens? Things to avoid or be mindful of?

-do you leave your coop door or run open in case they want to go back in?

-when you are home and letting them free range, how often do you go out and check on them?

Thanks!!

Posting from upstate NY

 

[DobieLover]

Hi everyone! We have 6.5 week old chicks here (6 of them) that we plan on letting be free range part of the time. We have a nice new coop with a decent size run to keep them in when we are not home/able to monitor them and when weather is bad. I do have some questions though for those of you that let your hens wander your property....

-Do you leave your chickens out to free range if you are not home (ex. Leaving them outside while you go to to work for seven hours)? When and how long do you let them be out on their own?

- any tips for free ranging chickens? Things to avoid or be mindful of?

-do you leave your coop door or run open in case they want to go back in?

-when you are home and letting them free range, how often do you go out and check on them?

Thanks!!

Posting from upstate NY

When I free ranged, I always left the door open to the run so they could get back into the coop to lay eggs or get under the run roof if the weather turned bad.

Once they were full size, I'd let them out in the morning and locked them up when they all returned to roost at night.

Things to be mindful of?? They will go where ever they want. The neighbors. The woods. Across the road. In the road. Up the road. Dig up and eat your garden... and the neighbors garden. Dig nifty dust bathing holes in the neighbors garden . Eat your flowers. Poop all over the driveway, walkway, steps, porch, deck, you name it. They will scratch your oh so carefully applied mulch all over the yard. And repeat this art work at the neighbors.

So, yeah, I don't free range any more... I have my flock confined to a 1/3 acre pen surrounded by poultry netting powered with a 10,000 volt charger. I'm happier. They learned to be happy in their smaller territory.

 

[gfallonn]

Hi everyone! We have 6.5 week old chicks here (6 of them) that we plan on letting be free range part of the time. We have a nice new coop with a decent size run to keep them in when we are not home/able to monitor them and when weather is bad. I do have some questions though for those of you that let your hens wander your property....

-Do you leave your chickens out to free range if you are not home (ex. Leaving them outside while you go to to work for seven hours)? When and how long do you let them be out on their own?

- any tips for free ranging chickens? Things to avoid or be mindful of?

-do you leave your coop door or run open in case they want to go back in?

-when you are home and letting them free range, how often do you go out and check on them?

Thanks!!


Posting from upstate NY

I always leave the run door open for them to go in. I have their food in water in there, so its good for them to have easy access to it, plus a place for them to go to feel safe.

I try to check on them every hour and a half or so, but its really up to you. Obviously though, if you have a fox problem or dogs in the area, you'd want to check on them more often. Once they get comfortable with the area, they'll be alright.

 

[Painted Calls]

I think a lot depends on where you live (neighbors/busy roads) and what type of predators you have around.

I have a lot of predators. I only let mine out when I'm going to be out there working. I leave the pen door open so they can go eat/drink/lay when they want. I've also taught all my girls to come when called. That way if I need to leave/if I see a hawk; they come running to me wherever I'm at.

 

[artsvarc]

I think a lot depends on where you live (neighbors/busy roads) and what type of predators you have around.

I have a lot of predators. I only let mine out when I'm going to be out there working. I leave the pen door open so they can go eat/drink/lay when they want. I've also taught all my girls to come when called. That way if I need to leave/if I see a hawk; they come running to me wherever I'm at.

How do you teach them to come when called?

 

[pozees2]

Ours are only allowed out when we are here, and we go out to check on them every couple of hours, immediately if we hear them fussing. Run and coop are always open. Safest to leave them in their covered run until sun is well up - that first hour after the sun lightens the sky is when the predators seem to be most prevalent. Neighbors' dogs are particular problems so if they can gain access to your yard you definitely don't want to leave them unattended.

 

[Kaesi2020]

I think a lot depends on where you live (neighbors/busy roads) and what type of predators you have around.

I have a lot of predators. I only let mine out when I'm going to be out there working. I leave the pen door open so they can go eat/drink/lay when they want. I've also taught all my girls to come when called. That way if I need to leave/if I see a hawk; they come running to me wherever I'm at.

Thanks for your reply! How did you teach them to come when called? Mine are starting to come if I shake the little mealworms box but not for my voice.

 

[Painted Calls]

Teaching them to come when called is actually super simple. (Because they're gluttons for treats!)

Decide on a recall you want to use - a phrase or a certain repetitive sound. I've found that repetitive sounds (like when calling a cat) work best.

Go out a few times a day with a favored snack and make that sound as you give it to them. Do that every day. As time goes on, make your call and immediately reward with treats. Do not give treats or scratch without making your call command until they learn it.

Eventually they will come running from wherever they are when you holler for them. No need to carry a big bag or cup of treats to shake. Just a couple morsels to reward them with will do.

My recall is "CHIP-CHIP-CHIP-CHIP-CHIP".

 

[NatJ]

My recall is "CHIP-CHIP-CHIP-CHIP-CHIP".

I whistle, but it comes out sounding similar to your call. "tweet-tweet-tweet-tweet-tweet"

(When I had a dog, I whistled differently to call her. I may not be able to whistle a tune, but at least I can do two different calls for different kinds of animals.)

 

[Painted Calls]

I whistle, but it comes out sounding similar to your call. "tweet-tweet-tweet-tweet-tweet"

(When I had a dog, I whistled differently to call her. I may not be able to whistle a tune, but at least I can do two different calls for different kinds of animals.)

I can whistle good enough to call the horses... If the wind isn't blowing too hard they hear me.