How to free range

[chrisg85]

moved my 6 week olds outside to the coops day run. I want to eventually free range them. I was wondering if anyone free ranges and how to properly train for that. Tonight’s their 2nd night out. So far I let them into the run during the day but put them all in the coop like an hour before sunset and screw a board over the coop door into the run so they can’t get out over night. Should I be doing it this way or just lock them in the coop for a week or so then open them up to the run for a couple weeks then let them out of the run after that?

 

[dugue4]

I kept mine in the run for a week and a half then opened the door. They are doing fine.

Edit- mine were fully grown when I got them

 

[pozees2]

Everyone who free ranges will give you a bit different answer, but with my own birds, I keep them in the run and make sure they coop up every night and close the door, so if something manages to get into the run, the birds are still safe in the coop. When they are around 4-ish months old, sometimes older (a lot of folks recommend not letting them free range until they have started laying) I start letting them free range, starting off by letting them out of the run about a half hour before dusk, so they know it's almost time for bed and don't wander too far, thus easily finding their way home. Once they've done that successfully a few times I start letting them out progressively earlier. We also give treats every afternoon around 2 or 3 pm, and they are only given in the run, and once they learn that it's easier to get them rounded up if for some reason it is necessary to close them into the run before dusk (have to go to town, weather moving in, etc.).