Free ranging, returning to coop/run, and different times to be let....

They will probably get aggravated, chickens like having a schedule. With my chickens, I leave them in their run until they go inside the coop, which is usually around 8:30 at night. But boy oh boy do they get angry when I keep them inside the coop longer than normal.

In the end, the decision is yours, so I would say go for it if that's what you want to do. I would let them free range too.

 

I have a similar setup to you, mine get out at noon some days, 9am other days, and not until 5 or 6pm other days. They seem to be handling it okay. I'm sure they would rather be free range all the time, but I would rather they didn't get eaten.

 

The easiest way to have them come in is when they are ready for bed (at dusk). No, I can perfectly understand wanting to be around when they are free-ranging.

 

Before you let them out train them to come when you call. I use a small metal can half filled with scratch grain, cracked corn, or even wild bird seed. I started shaking it & calling "heeeeere pick-pick-pick" before scattering the treat. It didn't take them long to associate the sound of the shaking seed with tasty treats, and will run to me from all points of the yard when they hear it.

It's a handy way to get them to come when called, especially if I must get them back in their runs before sundown.

I leave my chickens in their runs until about 2 PM so they'll lay all their eggs in the nest boxes and not in the yard. Then I let them out and allow them to return to their roosts at sundown. Other folks are amazed that they'll always go back to their own pens all by themselves.

I think you could let them out whenever you feel comfortable with it, and leave them out for as long as you wish. During the daytime their main predators will be hawks & dogs. If they have places they can run under & hide they may be safe from them.

I figure I'm balancing the benefits of free-ranging with the threat of depredation. Even if I lose a bird now & again, it's worth it to allow them the opportunity to range. It makes their eggs tastier, their runs cleaner, and keeps their feeders fuller.

I don't think they get angry or bothered if they're not kept on a schedule, or not let out every day. Of course they'll rush to the gate of their pen when I approach, and it might seem that they're "yearning to be free" but I think they're really just opportunists. If you watch them from a distance without them knowing it, you'll see them about their chicken business, content in their pens.

I wish you the best with your birds whatever you decide.

 

I do that.... not even knowing that it would irritate the birds not having a schedule.. I was going to post something about how to bring them in.. we run around getting one by one.. (they go under the shed making it difficult to get them back into their pen) I only let them out a few times a week but they do love it.. I would like to have some ideas on how to round them up easier..

good idea with the can of treats.

 

The can of treats works well for me when I want them home for various reasons. They do run to me when I call. At dusk they just go to roost by their selves no training needed. John

 

My set up is very similiar to yours. I let my girls free range when I am home during the day. From the time they were small, when I approached the pen, I called to them and ALWAYS provided a treat of some sort. Not a lot, but a handful of scratch, pasta, rice, lettuce, vegs, etc. After a short time, they began to associate me with food and they actually come running from all over the property when I come up the hill calling them, or when they just see me. I would like to tell you they love me unconditionally, but really, they love the treats I provide..... They come when they are called better than my dog. I can put them away safe in the pen even if they have only been out for an hour if I have somewhere to go. I don't ever have to chase them down.

As others have said, when it begins to get dark, they put themselves away and I do a "chicken count" with some daylight left so if anyone is not present, I have some light to find them. So far, everyone is always accounted for.

Good luck, and hope this helps.
Anne

 

They will definately come back to there roost. I like watching my bird's free range. It has to be good for them, keeping them from being bored or becoming stressed. I have a game roo that has roosted in a cedar tree by my front porch for the last 6 or 7 year's now. One day the power company came by wanting to cut the top of this tree off because they said it was too close to the power line. It looked like a good 10 feet away to me. [give me a break alabama power]. Anyway I had to fight them to keep the tree from being cut. Well guess what, My roo Roosco still has his tree and the power company probably think's I'm crazy [like I care] Good luck & have fun with it. PEACE