Keeping Chickens Free Range

[SmColorInDaPan]

Kasey,
By that age, they know where the food, water and safety is, IF you've had them for about that long? Predators would be the next BIG . While I have an occasional hawk, the dog pee keeps most 4 legged 'meat eaters' at bay, MOST chicken folks are not that Lucky. Maybe let them out in small increments, while you watch nearby? Late afternoon so that by dusk, they will naturally head back to where they roosted the night before? When you get to a point where you can let them out for a couple of hours, the more, IF YOU ARE OBSERVANT, you will see, hear, those wondering what that delicious smell is… Like Michele said earlier, it's just common sense…If it eats meat, it'll eat chicken!
Even though my kids are kept for the food, I'm human and get a real kick out of when I'm at another part of the property, only 20 ac, and they're coming up behind!

 

[duluthralphie]

Hi

I just found this thread.

I am a huge fan of free ranging. I have a couple fences and a tractor, I only use these for teaching the young birds how to free range and protect them at night.

I have about 100 birds running around my yard now. 10 turkeys, 85 chickens. I have 6 keets in the tractor. I have 5 chickens in with them now, hoping to get them to bond to the 'farm" and the chickens.

I have 25 cornishX's going into a fence on Wednesday (2 weeks old) with a "enclosed box with a lamp for heat". I will be scratch feeding them and only give them 2- 15 minute chances to eat commercial feed.

I give my free ranging birds about 2 gallons of scratch everyday, Otherwise then fend for themselves. Most of them go into the coop at night roosting high. Some prefer trees and patio furniture, which drives my wife nuts.

The chickens were hatched the first of June. These are our first chickens in 30 years. We are enjoying them, it is relaxing and fun to be outdoors with them. We will be placing the most of them into our freezer around mid-October. ( Or our kid's freezers)

I will keep about 15 over winter. Not sure if I will allow them to free ranger over winter, or lock them in a fence. I worry about predators over winter. Would like opinions on that.

Interesting thread, thanks for starting it.

 

[lethalfire]

I just got some baby silkies last night that are 2-4 days old. Our temps are in the 80's during the hottest part of the day right now, are they too young to let them out in a little pen for about 1/2 hour to let them get some sun and nibble some grass? I of course would be right there with them the WHOLE time.
My older ones (the ones in my avatar) free range but they were already 2 months when I got them. I am new to all this also, and if fresh air and sun will help them strive I want to do what is best for them.

 

[Carpenter Coop]

I also have a John Deere, but I move dirt with mine.
Pretty sure we are talking about different tractors.

I have 2 1/2 acres but the chickens only get my fenced in back yard. There's plenty of shelter, but I'm too scared to just leave them out all day.

Love watching the chicken channel instead of cable TV.

 

[Carpenter Coop]

From what I've read and seen with mine, if they're running around playing and feeding. It's good.

They seem to let me know

 

[Carpenter Coop]

@ Jessica Thistle
So this morning after letting them out before work I realized I do look pretty silly herding chickens in my uniform.

 

[SmColorInDaPan]

Hi,ya, Duluth, fellow Northerner? Welcome to the more 'Laid back' side of Chickening? (I'm sorry but that was just TOO GOOD to pass up..)

I have dogs that usually let me know when someone or something that ISN'T supposed to be around, IS. My kids don't go far in winter, yet, I don't have too much of a Predator issue. Pretty much observation and a Roo, who keeps them going. LAST winter, I had to tuck them into a box for a couple of nights but LAST WINTER WAS ONE TO REMEMBER!
Yeah, I side step a lot of chicken poop both at the bottom of the tree, 10ft E of my back porch and in the banana boxes of Kindling piled on the back porch. We all Wash. I rake it up into a 5 gln bucket, soak it, the garden LOVES it. Ridiculous some of the stuff folks get hung up on….Let them build another closet, FOR THEIR HANG UPS, I'll be doing JUST what needs to be done for my critters….

 

[Carpenter Coop]

I like your laidback way of thinking.

 

[SmColorInDaPan]

I just got some baby silkies last night that are 2-4 days old. Our temps are in the 80's during the hottest part of the day right now, are they too young to let them out in a little pen for about 1/2 hour to let them get some sun and nibble some grass? I of course would be right there with them the WHOLE time.
My older ones (the ones in my avatar) free range but they were already 2 months when I got them. I am new to all this also, and if fresh air and sun will help them strive I want to do what is best for them.

Might give them time to realize the coop or whatever you have for them, is H-O-M-E. That that area is where food, water & safety is? If the little guys cannot GET TO a high, safe place, NOT a good idea to let them out, YET. Like kids left in a tub, never know what may draw you away & once some 'Meat Eater' catches the scent…
Easy Does It...

 

[SmColorInDaPan]

Anybody know what caused the Red Flag on the lower L corner of this thread??
What'd I do?

Thank You, CC, Had some Self right. folks go jAB on me recently, Judge, Attack, Blame, so your posting HELPS!
Silly? Painted faces, Blue colored hair, texting someone SITTING right in front of you OR texting WHILE DRIVING?
Heck, you're on the cusp of Normal.