Free Ranging

[Melky]

Ok I have 13 week pullets 4 and they are let out for free range time to forage in the yard. Funny thing I clean the coop while they are out. They never go far. They always stay in back yard. I sit with them for a little bit when done to watch occasionally shoot photos. Love them. As soon as I am done they tend to go back in the coop on own. Great well behaved girls. I am trying to increase the time out in the yard while leaving the door to the coop open. They stay out 1-2 hours in the evening or late afternoon. When they go back to the coop I close the door thinking they took themselves back in and are done. How do I increase their time? I’ve tried putting kitchen scrap food treats in the yard. They will peck at it a little them leave it. If I put that in a run that would be gone in half to full day max. I’m afraid they are so well trained to the coop that they do not want to free range in the yard much. My instinct says leave door open even if they go back in and watch to see if they just go in and out. What do you think? I don’t want them to go the other way and refuse to return to coop.

 

[DobieLover]

Ok I have 13 week pullets 4 and they are let out for free range time to forage in the yard. Funny thing I clean the coop while they are out. They never go far. They always stay in back yard. I sit with them for a little bit when done to watch occasionally shoot photos. Love them. As soon as I am done they tend to go back in the coop on own. Great well behaved girls. I am trying to increase the time out in the yard while leaving the door to the coop open. They stay out 1-2 hours in the evening or late afternoon. When they go back to the coop I close the door thinking they took themselves back in and are done. How do I increase their time? I’ve tried putting kitchen scrap food treats in the yard. They will peck at it a little them leave it. If I put that in a run that would be gone in half to full day max. I’m afraid they are so well trained to the coop that they do not want to free range in the yard much. My instinct says leave door open even if they go back in and watch to see if they just go in and out. What do you think? I don’t want them to go the other way and refuse to return to coop.

It sounds like they haven't been out long enough to get confident about ranging too far from home.
Let them out earlier in the day and leave everything open for them. They will go back when they feel insecure or when they are ready to roost for the night.
My flock has gotten so darn confident ranging that we found the little horde marching on up the road today! Thank goodness we live on a dead end road with only 3 houses past ours and everyone up the road likes to slow down to gawk at our chickens when they drive by, but still. Stay out of the road!

 

[JedJackson]

It depends on where you live and the predator problems there. If you leave your coop open all the time, chickens aren't the only thing that can get in-- any predator can as well. And predators can take a bird in the blink of an eye and disappear.

If you are confident that the predator problem is under control, or you are okay with the risks involved in free ranging, then leave the door open during the day time, and close it up at night and when you aren't home. Let the chickens explore at their leisure. They will eventually gain confidence. But watch that they don't stray too far. Treats are a good way to lure them back, and a set schedule is also a good thing because they will learn when it is time to return.

Best of luck to you and your flock!

 

[Melky]

Ok. Thanks! I will definitely try opening the door first thing in am. Yep definitely don’t want them in the road. I go in and out for chores and keep an eye on them. They tend to eat bugs and dust bathe by the greenhouse not far from the coop or hang by the gardens for the same.

 

[Melky]

It depends on where you live and the predator problems there. If you leave your coop open all the time, chickens aren't the only thing that can get in-- any predator can as well. And predators can take a bird in the blink of an eye and disappear.

If you are confident that the predator problem is under control, or you are okay with the risks involved in free ranging, then leave the door open during the day time, and close it up at night and when you aren't home. Let the chickens explore at their leisure. They will eventually gain confidence. But watch that they don't stray too far. Treats are a good way to lure them back, and a set schedule is also a good thing because they will learn when it is time to return.

Best of luck to you and your flock!

Thks! I really have not noticed any predators during day hours. I am in a more suburban neighborhood at end of culdesac. I would put them up in coop with run if not home. I like the schedule idea.

 

[JedJackson]

Thks! I really have not noticed any predators during day hours. I am in a more suburban neighborhood at end of culdesac. I would put them up in coop with run if not home. I like the schedule idea.

Scheduling is the best way to free range. If you give them some little treats each night when you want them to come in, they will know to be in the coop at that time.

You should also still watch for predators-- they are there even if they are unseen. But if you keep them locked up at night and when you are not home, then you will probably be alright. Be especially watchful for hawks. They can be stealthy but they strike fast.

 

[cmom]

My birds have large pens. I usually let them out but now this time of the year (mid 90's during the day) they would rather stay in their pens, (around 20'x60', each pen) because all of the pens have nice shade trees but there are only a couple of trees in the pasture and they would rather be in the shade. All of the pens also have shade/rain tables for the birds to get under for shade or to get out of the rain. I have had predators show up during the day but that is when the weather is cooler. This time of year they stay in their dens or wherever they go during the day and roam at night. I have some game cameras up in different places on my property and most nights I see a predator on at least one of the cameras. I live on a dead end road. My road is like an interstate to the predators. They use it all of the time. I have had a Fox and Coyote kill some birds during the day but not in a very long time.