How to free range without fences or electrical wire UPDATED WITH PICS

[pattgal]

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So do you think it was the roosters that were taking them farther? I have one rooster that is very protective of his flock. I hope he doesn't venture them out too far

 

[gritsar]

I start letting my chicks out when they are two weeks old, at first with constant supervision and then less and less supervision as they grow and "learn the ropes". By about 10 weeks old they are staying out all day and I check on them several times a day.
My adult flock has been free ranging since they were at that two week old period. I let them out in the morning and lock them up at night. I go out a couple of times a day to check their water and collect eggs. All my hens lay in the coop. I've seen them run across fields to make it back to the coop in time to lay.
I can sit in the house with the air conditioner on and still hear if there is trouble. Ordinary chicken noises - egg songs, rooster crowing - I've learned to ignore. My rooster can make certain noises, alarm calls, that get me out there in a hurry. GET A GOOD ROOSTER.
It's my opinion that the younger you start free ranging the better equipped the chickens are to take care of themselves. They learn about predators, when to hide (hawk overhead for example) and what they can ignore (crows or other non-threatening birds). In the oppressive heat we are having right now, my adult flock goes to the woods and that's where they stay for the majority of the day. I wish my baby flock were old enough to follow them. They'd be much better off.
Most, but not all, of the predators we have around here are nighttime predators. My flocks are locked up tight at night.

 

[pattgal]

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yeah, i wish i hadn't culled so quick, But my rooster is very protective of his girls

 

[pattgal]

Gasp! I just remembered the inflatable pool

that will probably have to go, and no more chemicals in the kiddie pool either.....

 

[pattgal]

Thanks for all the invaluable information. I let them all out last night around 7pm and then thought to myself " WHAT THE HECK AM I DOING???" hahaha
anyway, it was kinda scary letting all my girls go free without knowing the outcome for sure.
The operation was a success. And I discovered a few things about my flock, like who reaally wears the pants, lol
I thought that my roo was the head honcho but it turns out Blucy (She is like Lucy but with blue legs) is the lead hen and likes to take things a step farther than my roo.
I also realized they know what my scrap bucket looks like. If I come out with the bucket they follow me everywhere (this may come in handy)
And Blucy, she follows me everywhere regardless,

 

[texasgal]

Yay!! And they went right in at dusk ..or did they follow you in with the scrap bucket???

 

[pattgal]

We were picking beans from the garden with a similar bucket, so i had to hide it behind my back not to lure them into the garden. yes they just went in by themselves, apart from two silkies that got stuck in tall grass, lol. they are adorable but not very bright. So we put them in ourselves

 

[remadl700]

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YES! they will eat and scatch everything......so if you have beans or tomatos they will go to town

 

[grendel]

Hawks and dogs are the problem freeranging during the day.As long as there is low bushes tall grassy areas for the chooks to hide then just free range when you can be outside with them.My birds stick around me to "interact"or pilfer treats as they see fit,and not want to stray from the compound.

 

[gritsar]

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yeah, i wish i hadn't culled so quick, But my rooster is very protective of his girls

All you need is a rooster that's good to his hens, watchful for predators and respectful of humans.
I enjoyed your pics. Your roo will take the lead as he matures more. Before then, the hens can give him a bad time. They didn't come up with the word "hen-pecked" for nothing.