Limiting free range time?

[wafarm]

Hi all! I've seen many references to people only allowing their flock to free range at certain times, usually due to predators. I would love to allow my birds out of the run when we are outside. BUT I cannot imagine how to get them back into the run. I've tried to herd my chickens before, and I'm sure you know how that went. So how do you get them back in after free range time is done? Thanks!

 

[Chickassan]

Treats, or don't let them out until it's a few hours before dark so they'll go up on their own. I have to put a group away an hour before the rest and I use treats. It's a dirty trick but it works.

 

[adstowe]

Many people on here (admittedly I haven't done it yet, but it makes complete sense) recommend putting your treats in a coffee can or something similar. Then before you give them treats rattle it a few times. Eventually they'll associate that noise with treats and you can use it to call them back.
I just use treats and call them. Once they notice that the others are running to me and getting food they all want in on the action.

 

[nevrenufcritters]

Treats work every time!

 

[Chickassan]

Yep, I'm a bag crinkler the can scares them well half of them.

 

[kitkat5505]

We aren't allowed to free range where I live but I've started letting them out about a 1/2 hr before they go to roost so I know they will come back easily.

 

[lazy gardener]

If you only use scratch as an enticement to return to the run, they will almost always come when you shake the scratch can and call them. The only time they won't all come is if you have some where important to go, and you need to leave... 5 minutes ago, but you are left playing the, "I just put 2 in, but when I opened the door to do so, three more ran out." game. When they play that game, and they love that game... it's their favorite!!! It's helpful to have a plan B. Like: close the pop door, so that all of the confined birds are in the run, then open the coop door (assuming it has an access door that is NOT IN THE RUN) and toss some scratch in the coop. Eventually, you can keep shuffling confined birds into the run, and catching the stragglers in the run.

WARNING: Never use bread or any other easily carried treat to try to get your birds confined, b/c they will grab the treats and then spend all of their time trying to escape so no one else will get the coveted treat.

 

[wafarm]

Thanks for the advice!
I'll try letting them out tomorrow to see how it goes.

 

[centrarchid]

We aren't allowed to free range where I live but I've started letting them out about a 1/2 hr before they go to roost so I know they will come back easily.

This is approach I use. The feed can approach can still be used as a backup. On weekends you can let them out earlier when less conflicts with work schedule. For me is does not work well during work week when day length shortest around winter solstice.

 

[~KH~]

Mine would almost always come back from anywhere in my almost 1/2 acre yard when I called - I trained them with BOSS. There were a couple times that they weren't very cooperative, but it worked the majority of the time.