letting my fock loose

[cmom]

Mine stuck close to home and devastated my gardens when I wasn't watching them. Now they have a fenced yard of their own.

 

[Rooster1235597]

yesterday i let them out for 45 minutes and they only went about 10ft from the coop.... and then today i let em out fir 5mins and i saw a huge hawk prolly redtail and i shewed the chickens back inside and scared away the hawk.... but yea yesterday they were going to go in the woods but then they hesitated and stayed in front of the coop by my side

 

[mstricer]

Quote:
No they go everywhere you dont want them to. I have 2 acres, 1 of which is wooded and the other that is lawn. our house is about 150 ft from their coop and the road about 450 ft from their coop. each day I find myself chasing them to the back side of the house only 2 hens found the bug garden by the wooded lot with rasberrys wild strawberrys and bug galore, the others well they want to know what the road looks like.

 

[Rooster1235597]

haha so far they have been good and they love the freedom so i think im gonna test fate again and let them out tommorow

 

[Rooster1235597]

ive been letting them out for 5 days and only had 1 close call

 

[Shannon's Chix]

I usually let mine out 2 hours before bed, they have always gone into the coop when it starts getting dark...

So today I let them out earlier than usual and watched them from the windows and went out every once in awhile to give them treats...they did really well!

Except one pullet who spent 15 minutes walking past the opening into the run and was very confused because everyone had gone in before her and she was confused about how to get in!

When the whole family was done laughing at her I went and helped her out...

I'm still pretty apprehensive though, thinking about getting a roo for added protection.

 

[neuchicontheblock]

I let the flocks out every day all day. They go into the pasture and chase after the llama babies and then the llama babies chase them. The big dogs watch them and the neighbors watch everyone. I don't think we live oddly, but everyone else does.

 

[OutdoorFun4]

I let my eight birds out in the AM when I am leaving for work.

I have two acres surrounded by woods. The sight of hawks send them under our burning bush. We have not had any issues with predators. (Knock on wood.)

They spend some time at the edge of the woods, but love the lawn and gardens. They have played havoc in any garden that is not fenced. The coming spring will be spent re-thinking our defenses.

They put themselves to bed as soon as the sun starts to set and we lock the door behind them.

We have chickens for the eggs and as pets. Having them in the yard eating bugs, grass, Japanese beetles and going where they want to go... feels right. It is also nice that they follow us around the yard and seem to be curious about us.

Free ranging during the day has risks, but we like the rewards.

 

[buddy#2]

I have chickens in the open yard in a temp. pen and a few pens in the woods. Let them out everyday. Soon as sun starts to set they all go in. Even watched them go in single file, roo first then the rest. Or if I take a handfull of scratch in they will most likely follow me and I can shut the door.

 

[Fowl97]

Quote:
sally you only have 4 hens and you got 2 roos. they will fight like crazy