Free ranging

horsesNchicks

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i have 9 week old pullets that have been in the outdoor run for about a week. How old before I introduce them to free ranging? They seem a bit timid and I don't want to not be able to get them back in the run when I need to. Thanks in advance. There are 11 of them in an 8x40 run right now.
 
Here's how I start free ranging my pullets: About an hour before dark, I leave their gate open, staying outside with them. I'll do yard work nearby or even pull up a chair and just watch them. Normally, once it starts to get dark, they'll go right back into the coop all by themselves. It's just the nature of the beast, chickens "go home to roost" when it's dark. Gradually, I let them have more time to free range, until they can be outside all day. Watch out for predators though.....Hawks, foxes, coyotes.....SO MANY!
 
i have 9 week old pullets that have been in the outdoor run for about a week. How old before I introduce them to free ranging? They seem a bit timid and I don't want to not be able to get them back in the run when I need to. Thanks in advance. There are 11 of them in an 8x40 run right now.
Give it a try when you can spare the time to keep an eye on them. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised when they wander back into their coop on their own. I know I was.
 
The bigger issue would be them getting picked off by a predator. I would consider them to be hawk bait at this age. I don't think you would have to worry about them forgetting to return to coop/run. They may get stuck on the wrong side of the fence, and have a stupid moment, as they often do. Funny how they can all figure out how to go out through a door, but they can't figure out how to come back in through the same door way! Supervision to start, and gradually increase their freedom as you and they become comfortable with it.
 
Once chickens decide some place is where they spend the night they will return there as it starts getting dark. They can have that stupid moment as LG said and get stuck on the wrong side of a fence the first night or two, mine have. They just don't understand the concept of "gate" when they get desperate to get back to the coop even if they have used that gate all day, but after one or two nights mine figure it out.

At that age it's possible the chicks won't actually go inside the coop to sleep. You mention run, not coop, so I'm not exactly sure how it's set up. They may not sleep exactly where you want them to, but if they have decided it's home they will want to be in the immediate vicinity. A week should be long enough for them to accept it as home.

When you open the gate to let them outside to free range, they may immediately rush outside or they may be really hesitant to go out into that strange new world. No need to rush them, just leave them alone. It may take days before they try it. They will eventually figure it out.

Any time other than when it is getting dark they just may be really hard to get to go into the coop/run when you want them to. Herding chickens is a lot like herding cats, they just don't want to go where you want them to. If you move really slowly and have something long in your hands you can probably guide them in that direction, but i's not fast and it's not sure.

The way around this is to train them to come to you. Put a treat they like, corn or meal worms maybe, into a special can or bucket. Rattle that can and call them, maybe chanting "here chicky chick" or something like that as you feed them. Before too long they will come running to you whenever you rattle that can or call them. It takes a little patience to train them but it is worth the effort.

What I suggest is the same as has been mentioned. Open the gate about an hour before dark and observe. Take something to read and just sit there observing. If they need help at bedtime help them. Otherwise leave them alone and see what they do. As you gain confidence in them, let them out earlier if you wish. In the meantime start that training to come when called. Once you are confident they will come to you when called you may try letting them out earlier in the day.
 
When I've had youngsters do that, I use a hose to "squirt them out". Or you could block off the shed. If they are used to sleeping in the coop, they are homed to the coop, and it should not be an issue.
 

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