Mama Hen needs help with Empty Nest Syndrome

[NeeleysAVLChicks]

Ok, full disclosure, mama hen is in fact.....me!

My 8 "babies" are now 2.5 months old and last weekend I "decided" they were old enough to start free ranging with the rest of my girls on our several acre property starting on Monday. Its now Thursday and I just can't bring myself to open their gate and let them out! I keep making up excuses (Monday it was kind of rainy, Tuesday it was too windy, they wouldn't like it, Wednesday, I thought I heard some suspicious noises in the barn, better be safe than sorry, etc, etc)

I know they'll be fine, I'm sure of it! Will somebody please tell me to stop being such a nervous mom! These babies are ready to leave the nest!

Charlotte saying "Come on mom, let us out to play already!"

 

[gamebirdsonly]

go for it. I know it's hard I have done the same thing

 

[The Coastal Chicks]

Well I am right there with you.. mine are about 6 weeks and have "flew the coop" at least the temporary one...
We are building the run this weekend but I did let them have free range two days this week... That after 2-3 got out!
Then it was the first time I really thought I was going to loose one.. My thinnest girl "Thelma Louise" went thru the fence to the neighbors yard that has
a two year old husky that looks like she is ready to taste chicken

Scares me death...

So I let them out again today well Pearl flew the coop first thing again so we were back to the races... What is your set up like?

SUggestions... looks like you have ameracunas That is what I have as well

Tausha

 

[gryeyes]

Your Charlotte is ADORABLE. That's a great photo!!

I want to let my chickens free range while I'm out there with 'em. I'll have to keep my dogs locked in the house, though. So this can only be done under strict supervision. I'm working up to trying it this coming weekend......
....but I'm SO hesitant.

 

[NeeleysAVLChicks]

Quote:
Hahaha, if I can do it (most nervous chicken mom on the planet) then you can most certainly do it!

It was a total success, they never ventured further than about 15 feet from the coop and come dusk they all lined up and went straight to their roost! I was SO proud, my husband was laughing at me b/c he's never seen me so excited to see chickens go to bed before. Try it this weekend and let me know how it goes!!

 

[cobrien]

Just tell yourself that once they are free ranging like the "big girls", you will be ready to raise MORE babies! And then a few more...and then just a few more...

 

[goldnchocolate]

I know how you feel. My Buff O hatched three chicks 2 weeks ago. When they were only 1-1/2 wks old she brought them out with her with the rest of the flock to scratch around the pasture. I'm afraid that one of the horses will step on one plus I thought it was too cold out ( no brooder heat lamps out there

), but "mama" must know best. They looked like little bumblebees following her wherever she went...their teeny legs moving so fast to keep up with her. I also have one week old chicks that I hatched in the incubator and no way would I set them out in the cold to scratch with the other chickens.

ETA....Charlotte has such a cute face