Keeping Chickens Free Range

[Tikkijane]

Oh and do EE's have to have beards/muffs???

No. EEs are essentially mutts. They can have any kind of comb (I have two with wee little floppy combs), any combination of muffs and/or beards, and lay any color egg {I've had a few that laid/lay brown eggs}.

 

[Countrygirrrl]

Hi Everyone!

We are new chicken parents and this is my first post - hope I'm doing this right We have 14 chicken girls that we moved from the basement to their coop in the yard a couple of weeks ago. We'd like to start free ranging them soon for at least for a few hours every day. So, my question is: what's the best way to introduce them to our large and woodsy yard (fenced in with wire 4ft tall)? Should we just open the door and let them walk out? I've been reading about using treats to lure them back into the coop. Is there additional advice to make sure we get all 14 back to safety before dark? Thanks!

 

[cheeka]

Countrygirrrl

Love that coop! very nice indeed! chickens are, well... chicken, so it's pretty easy to introduce them to the outdoors - they won't go far at first, and get them back in with millet seeds, put seeds in a container, shake it, treat them, they'll learn that sound and always come running! good luck!

 

[K Epp]

I would start off by letting them out a hour before dark so they don't have time to go far. In crease the time each day.

My animals all think food comes in a white bucket. My Mama was over for a visit. Not a fan of LF chickens. We were walking through the yard and I didn't think a thing until I heard her hollering. They had her surrounded chickens, ducks, goats, and turkeys. She was carrying a white plastic grocery bag. They thought she had a treat. She was not amused.

 

[ChickyChickens]

No. EEs are essentially mutts. They can have any kind of comb (I have two with wee little floppy combs), any combination of muffs and/or beards, and lay any color egg {I've had a few that laid/lay brown eggs}.

Thank you 'cause I just wanted to know. I thought I have been lying to everyone about the breeds of my chickens!

 

[bumpercarr]

Hi Everyone!

We are new chicken parents and this is my first post - hope I'm doing this right We have 14 hens that we got in the mail at the end of April when they were a day old. They have all grown very nicely and appear happy and healthy. Two weeks ago, we moved them from the basement to their coop in the yard. They seem to like their bright new space, but we'd like to start free ranging them soon for at least for a few hours every day. So, my question is: what's the best way to introduce them to our large and woodsy yard (fenced in with wire 4ft tall) and how can we make sure that they go back into their coop before dark? Thanks much!

Nice coop! I would keep them in the coop for about a week, just so they are comfortable in their new home. You said you have pullets, no cockerel? I find that my cockerels are always the ones telling the ladies when it is time for bed. Most of the time they listen, but like all women (myself included) the pullets sometimes have a mind of their own. Anyway, keep in for a week and then let them out a little longer every day. Make sure during that first week that you are giving them lots of treats so that they learn the sound of the worm bag, jar or bucket that you are using for treat time. That way, if they do happen to be wandering too late at night, you can give a shake of the treat container and they will come running.

Good luck!

 

[ShockValue]

I was scared the first time I let my little ones out of the coop to free range. But they put themselves to bed before I knew it.

Now I'm sad as by the time I get off work, do dinner, and put the kids to bed I don't get any chicken time at all. They've already put themselves to bed and I just lock the door behind them. Only going to get worse in the winter!

 

[fancychick1]

I was worried about mine when I first let them roam but I am home all day with my grandchildren so we were able to watch them. Now when we are in the yard they are always near by or most of the time they hang out where its shady. As soon as it starts to get duck they start getting closer to the coop and eventually they all wander in even the ducks and they are all only 3 months.

 

[ChickyChickens]

I was worried about mine when I first let them roam but I am home all day with my grandchildren so we were able to watch them. Now when we are in the yard they are always near by or most of the time they hang out where its shady. As soon as it starts to get duck they start getting closer to the coop and eventually they all wander in even the ducks and they are all only 3 months.

It is always soooo cute to watch them like that when they are young.......and then they get older

 

[Tikkijane]

Thank you 'cause I just wanted to know. I thought I have been lying to everyone about the breeds of my chickens!

Usually it's the other way around- folks are convinced their chickens are Ameraucanas (or even Araucanas) because they came from the hatchery..... {hatcheries actually have EEs- reputable breeders have the real deal(s) although there is one thst claims to have real wheaten Ameraucanas and does sell EEs.... {