How/when so I start "Free Ranging?"

[AppleMomma65]

10 week old chickens have been in coop for 1.5 weeks. Wondering when to introduce free range? Other than the obvious - letting them out the coop door - how? Due to fox and hawks in the area, will only FR if I can be in the area but I know chickens tend to wander.

 

[DobieLover]

10 week old chickens have been in coop for 1.5 weeks. Wondering when to introduce free range? Other than the obvious - letting them out the coop door - how? Due to fox and hawks in the area, will only FR if I can be in the area but I know chickens tend to wander.

Start by letting them out about 2 hours before they normally go to roost. They won't go far because they know dusk is coming.

 

[AppleMomma65]

Start by letting them out about 2 hours before they normally go to roost. They won't go far because they know dusk is coming.

Is now too soon? And how to get them back in? My normal call is "Velociraptors, Report!" with some treats ... If one comes, will they all follow? Afraid they'll freak and scatter as I have some skittish ones

 

[RojoMarz]

I started free ranging mine (now 16 weeks old), about a month ago. I am still watching them while they free-range. They do not go far yet. Most of the time, they stay close together and close to the coop. If one runs home, they all do. I imagine they will start venturing out further as they get more comfortable. My 7 will return to the coop, then free range, going back and forth several times during an outing. I let them out for about 30 minutes, during my lunch break and again after work (3pm ish) for another 30 minutes or so.

How many do you have? Are they all pretty good about returning to you when called?

 

[Mrs. K]

They know more than you think. Mine are out occasionally at 3 weeks of age.

• When you feed always call them, they will come running
• The longer you let them out, the farther they will go
• it is a risk

Mrs K