free-ranging

[Firecracker]

When is it okay to let chickens out to free range? We have had them about a month, and they have never been out of their run/coop. Do they always go back to their roosts? Thanks.

 

[2468Chickensrgr8]

Wondering how old they are ....
But if theyre old enough I wouldnt know the magic number ...they'll be fine ...
When mine were young I kept mine in the coop for a couple days and once they knew where the food and water and how to roost were I'd let them out an hour or so before sun down and watch them ..and normally they would naturally go into the coop to roost ....sometimes you may get the odd one that doesnt pay attention to how fast the darkness is approaching and you have to place them on the roost .I do this for a couple days increasing the time more and more and soon you'd be able to open the door in the moring and close it after dark.....but yes they will go back into the coop naturally to lay there eggs and roost ....Good Luck !!
Edit to say ...also sometimes when I buy day old chicks and there 4 or 5 weeks old I will put them outside in a cage to free range ...sort of...on the grass with the other big girls ....providing water and feed...If its warm outside ...

 

[joedie]

I don't free range mine but would love to. I'm afraid my barn cats might get them or the hawks that are always screeching around here. From what I've read on here, they should do fine now. Once they know where their home is, they should come back in at dusk to roost.

 

[Firecracker]

They are all older than 12 weeks. Thanks for your advice.

 

[2468Chickensrgr8]

They'll be fine ....good luck ...How many do you have ?

 

[Firecracker]

3 Doms, 6 white (mixed) hens, 1 Buff Rooster, AND 6 2-day old Rhode Island Reds growing like weeds under a heat lamp I have become quite infatuated with chickens.

 

[2468Chickensrgr8]

and the addiction begins..

..you came to the right place ....Hope everything goes well...

 

[Shannon's Chix]

Sounds like you're having fun!

I've had mine about a month too and just started letting them free range about a week ago. Where I am there are hawks and dogs all around so I only let them out for 1-2 hours a day while I am there with them keeping a watchful ear/eye (plus I don't have a roo).

They stay pretty close to the coop so far, it's really a great time, I highly recommend it. Good luck!

 

[Firecracker]

My husband and I will be around all day, so we just went for it. They are hanging around the barn pecking in the dirt. They look very happy. I don't know why I didn't get chickens sooner.

 

[ubumartin]

I was free ranging my 3 chickens during the day, I left them for about a 1/2 hour to do some laundry at 10 in the morning and when I came out all 3 were gone, feathers everywhere. I thought they would be safe as I had not had any problems. We did see the fox in a neighbors yard. I read that the fox will take as many as it can and burry them for food later. I would suggest not to leave them for a minute. Just be willing to loose them if you free range. I now have 3 new girls. It was devasting to me to loose the first 3. I have a dog kennel that I move around the yard and have it covered with a tarp to prevent hawks from attacking. If I leave the house they go right back to the coop. Just my opinion, but the saddness of raising the chicks and then having them die like they did was horrible.