Free Ranging Questions

[Leah and peeps]

Thanks guys!
Heres the update: This past weekend while cleaning the coop I let the three friendliest birds out all by themselves and the other 4 remained in the run. The three that we let out, stayed fairly close to the coop not going more then a few feet further then the run, or behind the coop where all the rerally tall grass is. They seemed to really enjoy it, and I kept a close watch on them.. still kind of being a nervous. At some points the girls actually just came back in the coop (we opened both doors) and went back outside. We didn't exactly call them back into the coop (which I know I should have) but I just walked over to them and picked them up, they didn't try to run away, but they just crouched down like they usually do and let me bring them back inside. Now ever since that experience everytime I go to the coop, they are all trying to shove through the door and get out.. they can't wait until tom. when I will be letting them all out. Lets hope everything goes as planned!

Any other tips?
and thanks again!

Leah

 

[7&8]

Sorry if this seems preachy or dour, but I really feel led to interject some reality into this conversation on free-ranging. I apologize if I offend anyone; this surely is not my intention.

I advocate free-ranging. But (and tongue and cheek, doesn't the poultry industry knows this), there are nuances in the definition of "free-range."

I live in the 'burbs. I am in 'coon, coyote, fox, and aerial predator territory. I have a completely secure run off of the main coop, not unlike the OP's run. During the day, I used to open the gate to the run, and the chickens would foray the grounds to their hearts' content. They always returned to the coop to lay eggs, and to roost, by early dusk. Then the inevitable happened. I came home one afternoon, and the entire flock was gone. In the woods edging my property, I found feathers from each of the birds.

Now I have electric poultry netting fence. The birds still range freely - access to all of the same places they favored to dig & etc. as before, but with 11kV between them and Mrs. Reynard.

Last weekend I was sitting right where I am now, listening to the rooster carry on about something surely of his own creation. Finally, I got up and hollered out the door at him to please keep it down. And what did I see but the lovely Mrs. Foxy staring forlornly at the electric fence. "Zap!" - she must have touched it with her nose. My guess is that she will not soon return for this experience.

I will not be leaving birds completely loose without protection again. Daylight predator loss - hens on one side of a building and you on the other - can happen, too. "Wild" animals are crafty and do not always fear humans to the degree we believe they do.

I wasn't surprised when I found my flock had been killed. I said for months, "Oh, I know it might happen - that's just the way of nature. The hens are soooo happy being loose!" But let me tell you, losing my constant and faithful pals of one year to a most certainly horrid death made me feel like I had been a very negligent steward. The whole thing cast a pall on me and the property for weeks.

If you throw open the door to the coop and leave - whether it be to go to the grocery store or into the house for just a few minutes - be prepared for the unexpected moment to happen.

 

[MareeZoCool]

If you plan to have your ladies free-range for an hour or so, the best time would be an hour before sunset, since the gorls will normally head home at sunset. No they won't run away, but they will cover a lot of area fast! LOL!