Introducing free ranging

[BarnGoddess01]

I've had the chickens outside 3 days now; an hour the first day, and then for a couple of hours yesterday and today. First day, only 4 of them would even go outside! I'm happy to report that it's going very smoothly so far. They seem to be enjoying themselves immensely and only spend about 2 minutes outside before venturing back inside and so on. No bribes required. They seem to enjoy the in/out game. They haven't made it any further than 3 feet from the coop as yet!! The pullet that was slowest to venture outside was also the one most determined to take on the cat. Too funny. The cat (Earl) flopped to the ground, totally passive, while Peggoty glared at him. My young barred rock roo (Nigel) is a total wuss. He's the first one to fire back into the coop when the wind blows. And as suggested, my horses are fascinated by them. Made for some superb photography opportunities which I've taken full advantage of! I had no idea chickens were so entertaining!!

 

[faykokoWV]

please post the pictures ASAP!

 

[teach1rusl]

Do you have a light in your coop? I've only let mine out to "free range" (for me that's temporary chicken wire hooked on green metal posts attached to their regular run...my DH rolls his eyes and says "Oh yeah...they're free ranging.") with me sitting outside with them. BUT...I've noticed that when they're in the run, and I turn the light on in their coop, they automatically go in there as darkness approaches in the evenings. Yours will venture out a lot more as they get used to it, so a light to attract them will probably insure they head back inside.

 

[valerieb]

I let my chickens out of their coop as soon as it is light outside. They love free ranging. Even though there are 296 acres, they usually stick withing 100 yards of the house. I have all the usual predators but most only come out after dark and the ones that are around in the daytime are discouraged by my dogs.....3 little Yorkies. There are hawks that fly over now and then but the chickens know the sound of them and run for cover. We have the porch and their coop (it is up on a trailer frame) and various vehicles around the house for them to duck under. They like to hang around the cows when they are up by the house. They have access to their coop all day but don't spend a lot of time inside, even when it is raining. Most of them start heading in about dusk and the rest gather on my porch and I have to carry them to the coop. I cannot imagine locking them in all day. They would hate that.

 

[valerieb]

It is hilarious watching the Yorkies and the chickens interact. When I put treats out for the chickens......yogurt, sunflower seeds, etc.........the Yorkies try to eat them and get pecked and then the chickens eat. Then the dogs growl and bark at the chickens and they back up and the Yorkies eat, then they get pecked and the chickens eat, then they growl and bark at the chickens and they back up and the Yorkies eat, etc., etc., etc. The dogs chase the chickens....the chickens chase the dogs. It is soooooo funny.

 

[PortageGirl]

Quote:
I really wish there had been video cameras when my horse used to trail along behind my hens. I'm old though as I have mentioned, there was no such thing back then! did I mention I am old? It really was a hoot though.