Free ranging

[Mickey67]

So being new to raising chickens I have a question about free range. I want to do this, but worried they won't come back at first? My hens are only about 2 months old, I could get the exact if needed. Any tips on the best way to do this? I do have 2 rooster who stay with them as well as 5 guinea

 

[wvchics]

If they are in a secure run and coop they will not go far. They will always come back to their home to sleep. I allow mine to free range. I just keep an eye on them and herd them back in the yard if they start to wander, but either way they will come back to wherever they sleep every night.

 

[BonDEEroo]

I agree. If they are used to sleeping in the coop they will definitely return there at night. The roosters will make sure the hens go back in by dark. Keep an eye on them while free ranging, usually they are smart enough to stay out of trouble but the predators are smarter.

 

[BonDEEroo]

The guinea fowl will likely make enough noise to alert everyone to the presence of a predator

 

[4 Georgia Hens]

My girls free range. Luckily, my yard is fenced in, and there have been NO hawk problems. They go in at around 8:30-9:00. If your girls aren't used to sleeping in their coop, give em a few nights to get adjusted. Also, like everyone else said, keep an eye on them.

 

[4 Georgia Hens]

Free ranging is really good for them, because they will destroy any grass in their run, those silly things! Lol

 

[slordaz]

mine either on the farm or in town all go back in with only keeping them in the coop where they would be sleeping for 2-3 days when i first got them. As long as coop is predator proof they will return there, on the farm they preferred the open horse stall to the coop and only time I could get them to go to the coop was when they were babies or had babies, even though horse stall wasn't predator proof. Just never back down or run from a rooster cause he'll have your number for forever if ya do, sounds like they have plenty of protection. Something I do is keep motion censored solar light on front and back in case any predators follow them back to find where they are sleeping and I always have a live trap I can put out and bait if something comes around. On trap I would recommend something enclosed instead of open wire due to if ya get a skunk that is not fun in the open wire.