Question about allowing my old girls to roam free for a bit

[My Chicken Parrot Pearl]

I'd like to let my 2 year old girls outside of their enclosed run. They have not been out side their run before. I'm thinking the girls need excitement and something new. I am worried about them being bored.

 

[123RedBeard]

Open the door ... They still may not go out for a few days ...

 

[My Chicken Parrot Pearl]

Open the door ... They still may not go out for a few days ...

They're beyond ready to leap out. I'm worried that having 11 chickens outside of the run is gonna be rough on me getting them back in.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

They're beyond ready to leap out. I'm worried that having 11 chickens outside of the run is gonna be rough on me getting them back in.

Do it near the end of the day the first time so they don't go too far.

They'll put themselves back up at roost time.

You may also train them to a snack container.. that you shake to get their attention and lead them back in when you deem the time is right.

Once you've started allowing free range time.. the bordome in the run increases and they're crazier to get out then when they never had that experience.

 

[Acre4Me]

Once you've started allowing free range time.. the bordome in the run increases and they're crazier to get out then when they never had that experience.

Very true.

Put roosts in the run. Give them some “clutter”. Put feed in a few locations.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I'd work on getting them to come when called or signaled, using treats, while inside the run first and then letting them out from there. That way at least you'll have a way of recalling them if needed.

I'd also start with small increments of time, and keeping them close to the coop and run at first. You can use sticks or something similar to herd them.

I only let my birds out for a very limited period of time each afternoon but they're used to that so they don't fuss when it's time to go back, and they get a treat as soon as they return, so going back to the run is always something positive for them.

 

[My Chicken Parrot Pearl]

Do it near the end of the day the first time so they don't go too far.

They'll put themselves back up at roost time.

You may also train them to a snack container.. that you shake to get their attention and lead them back in when you deem the time is right.

Once you've started allowing free range time.. the bordome in the run increases and they're crazier to get out then when they never had that experience.

This has definitely helped! The girls are happy as can be.

 

[My Chicken Parrot Pearl]

Thank you so much! I've experimented with one or 2 girls for a brief 20 min. I've got 11 girls in total.