Letting them roam the yard

[RedRoosterInn]

This is our first experience with chickens on our new place.
We have 5 hens and 1 rooster and they are now 16 weeks old, we would like to let them out to roam our 2 acres but are not sure they will come back to their coop at night.
Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated

 

[sourland]

Let them out one afternoon when you can be with them. Do not force them out - let them come out on their own. At dusk gently 'herd' them towards their coop. Be careful that nothing scares them and causes them to fly until they have 'learned' the yard. Understand that while free ranging they are susceptible to predation.

 

[drumstick diva]

Some folks like to lock them inside the coop for 2-3 days, WITH food and water, so they imprint on it being their home. After that they usually will come back to the coop at dusk every night to roost.

 

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC. Glad you decided to join our flock. X2 on locking them inside the coop for a few days so that it will imprint on them as "home." Be aware as well that if you free range them on your property instead of keeping them in an enclosed run, you will lose some of them to predators. It will be up to you of course to determine whether or not the losses are acceptable. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. Good luck with your flock.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC!