free ranging

[mikesbigroo]

I have a fenced area that is about 1.5 acres that i have 2 young nanny goats in, was wondering about free ranging some chickens, when free ranging do they generally wonder off much, i have a coop that is set up into 3 different areas, wanted to get some feedback on free ranging, maybe some do's and don'ts, thanks,, mike:

 

[2468Chickensrgr8]

Hey Mike

! If you keep your hens in the coop for a couple days so they get to know where they should lay their eggs ...maybe place some fake eggs/golf balls in the nest boxes so they think some other hen layed there....and then slowly let them out an hour or so before dusk and increase the time each day that there out ......keep their feed/water in the coop for a while also so they know thats where the grub is ...
I didnt do this and I had some problems with my girls wanting to roost in the trees so I spent alot of time getting them out of the trees....sometimes in the dark.....
We ended up putting a fenced in predator proof yard attached to the coop because we had fox/hawk problems for awhile ....but I let them free range all the time and they go everywhere....we have horses and they go in their pasture .....and they like to hang out in their fenced in yard also...I guess they feel protected in their also.....Hope that helps....
also everytime I feed my girls I always call out "here chick chick" so when i do want them back in their yard they come running knowing I have a treat for them....and I can easily shut their yard door...
They love to help me garden also....