How to Free Range

[EggGardener]

At first, we only let our chickens out under the watchful supervision of our kids

We'd keep an eye on them, and lure them back to the coop with treats. Mine usually get fresh layer pellets in the morning--one way to make sure they come back is to let them out for a short time in the morning before feeding them, then make a lot of noise putting their feed in their fenced run.

At this point, they so much associate us with food, when they see us, they will run after us to see what we're up to! We don't have a rooster (we like our neighbors and want them to like us, too!) but the hens don't stray too far.

I can open the coop now, let them roam and know that by sunset, they'll all be roosting inside the coop--all I have to do is shut the door at night behind them.I liked everyone's ideas--gritscar's made a lot of sense; to let them out in the evening, then let their natural roosting instinct help get them inside.

I think it just takes a little time. Once they're used to roosting and laying in the coop, they'll return there without much effort on your part.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Actually blood spots and meat spots can occur with or without a rooster. The reason you don't see them in store bought eggs is that store bought eggs are candled before packaging. Those showing blood/meat spots are not sold as eating eggs, but rather to be used in making animal feeds and other products where the blood spot is not noticeable.
To distinguish a fertlized egg from a non-fertile you have to look for the bullseye. If you don't look closely you may never even notice it.
All my eggs are fertile. Neither I nor any of my egg customers have a problem eating them.

 

[stevejr03]

Thank you to everyone for their advice and help. Since I only have the hens since Sunday I think I will give them some more time to get to know their new home then I will try letting them out starting with short periods of time before night. I will probably try this without a rooster at first but will probably look to get one by early summer.

I did forget to ask about how to introduce my dog (an italian mastiff)? to the hens without totally freaking them or her out. Any suggestions?

 

[blueskylen]

Everyone has given great answers about free ranging, so i will offer a tip about the dog.

We have an english setter ( bird dog ) and when I got my chicks last year, all he wanted to do was get in there and eat them. i would let them out, as I still do , and each time he came near would point and yell NO at him. He did get one while my back was turned, and spent 2 weeks on the leash - which he hates. I then started giving him an egg every day or so, and he has now decided that he likes the eggs better than the chickens or my rage, and stays away from them. His coat has also gotten smooth and shiny from the eggs. it took a year to get him trained, but as he is a bird dog - I am pleased that I can let them out and not worry about him getting them now..

 

[TennesseeTruly]

I was told to keep my chickens in the coop for a week before letting them out. They'll be in the coop a week on Saturday. They're already curious about getting outside everytime I open the door to feed and water them.

I think that would be your best bet.

good luck!

Laurie

 

[sethsleader]

I only had a problem today with my Staffordshire Bull Terrier or should I say chickens. We've only had the chickens for 5 weeks but the Staffie has been with us for 5 years.

Look on You tube for the dog whisperer with chickens! It only take 5minutes to watch. Very interesting and easy to do, it worked for me.

My staffie has been great with the chickens, though its now a chicken whisperer I need now as the girls attack the dog if she sits in their favourite sun spot, so much so that now my dog shakes if she needs a wee cos it means facing Shirley, Effie,Tilly and Hattie!

Good luck

 

[joebryant]

Quote:
Steve, I have three hens and a rooster in a 4x8 coop and they're fine with that; however, they have a large run too.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=9574

 

[joebryant]

Quote:
Steve, eat both, rooster or no. The only difference between a fresh fertilized egg and a fresh unfertilized egg is:
Fertilized - You will see a small, white dot on the yolk.
Unfertilized - You will see a large dot that's donut shaped.
You might have to turn the egg over to see the dot or donut shape.
And, NO, the white strands you see when you crack an egg is not rooster semen. Those are cords that suspended the yolk in the middle before the egg was cracked. I was 70 years old before I learned that. I mention that because I, like a lot of other guys I know, used to remove those cords thinking that that was a fertilized egg.

 

[Judy]

Introduce the dog while on a leash. Verbally correct as needed.

Some find that their dogs accept the chickens willingly. Some never can let the dogs loose near the chickens. Depends on your proficiency in training dogs, and probably on the dog''s nature. I have 4 mutts who do not bother the chickens and certainly help keep predators off them. But some people have dogs that would kill the chickens in a heartbeat.

 

[joebryant]

Quote:
Steve, I think that with most dogs if the their owner makes it clear to them that the chicks are part of the family, they will be protective of them. I introduced mine to my two Welsh corgis ( a gentle herding breed) the day they were hatched, and they became possessive of them when they were small and tried to herd them. They pay no attention whatsoever to them now.