New Freedom Ranger question... they never end, do they?

[SandraMort]

My husband measures them in nuggets. "They're up to three nuggets now!"

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[the1much]

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hahha

 

[PurpleChicken]

3 weeks is not too old for them to range but make sure they are feathered in.

If it rains they can easily get chilled.

They are also much easier targets for predators at that age.

Finally, ranging them a lot will decrease their growth rate substantially.
Mine just started ranging a few hours a day and they are 8 weeks old.

 

[SandraMort]

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Right now, we're moving them to a bigger space (accomplished!) and letting them use the pen attached to the barn (not quite done, there are gaps at the bottom to fill in first).

If it rains they can easily get chilled.

Oh, very good to know. So leave them inside on rainy days, or just keep them to the pen near the barn?

They are also much easier targets for predators at that age.

That was definitely one of my concerns. The run has lots of plants to hide under, though, and I'm hoping that helps.

Finally, ranging them a lot will decrease their growth rate substantially.
Mine just started ranging a few hours a day and they are 8 weeks old.

Hmm. How much ranging is good and how much is bad? I'll be starting with them having access to the run. It's a half circle (the barn is the flat piece) made from 7 six foot panels of fence. Is that still too much space for good growth?​

 

[PurpleChicken]

I misunderstood your first post a little.

I would allow them access to the run during the day, unless it's cold and/or rainy.
Once they are 5 weeks and fully feathered they should be ok with the cold and rain.
They will go back in the coop if they need to.

Let them free range for an hour before dark. They won't go far, especially at first,
and will return to their coop once the sun starts setting.

You can range them as much as you want. Eating all the natural stuff is better for
them but will reduce their growth. Rangers are meant to range, not sit in an enclosed
space and eat themselves to death like Cornish do.

I split my Ranger order with 2 other members here. One of the members let's her birds
range all day. They are smaller than mine but healthy and happy looking in comparison.
If I could let mine range that much I would. The extra few weeks of growth and feed
is offset by all the goodies they eat in the yard. Yummmm bugs....

 

[SandraMort]

PC -- thanks!!! That's EXACTLY what I needed to know, thank you!!!