Question about free-range intro method

[SplendidDogFeet]

I have a question about the free-ranging method people keep suggesting of letting out just a few at a time initially. When you put them back in the run, do they get picked on for being separate all day? I want to be prepared.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Either let them all out together or keep them all contained, but only letting a couple chickens out at a time then putting them back in with others that have been locked up all day will shuffle things around. There is no reason to only let a couple out at a time to get them used to things. They can all go out together just fine. People that let only a couple out at a time do that more to make themselves feel better, but it does not benefit the chickens in any way segregating them and then putting them back together on repeat.

 

[TOMTE]

I haven't started free ranging yet (waiting another week now that they're growing fast), but when I do I'll probably let them out an hour before sundown for the first week or so, then gradually extend the amount of time they're out. That way they will hopefully stay close to the run/coop at first, and they'll know exactly where to run to if there's danger as they venture further

 

[TooCheep]

There is no reason to separate them. Let them out together. More eyes make for better security when watching for predators.

Ideally, they have shady places to rest and hide from predators- hawks, etc. Mine love to rest/hide under my berry bushes.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I have a question about the free-ranging method people keep suggesting of letting out just a few at a time initially.

Do you have a link to someone suggesting that so I can read it in context. I cannot see where that is of any benefit but I'm always willing to learn.

If your chickens are used to sleeping in a certain place their usual instinct is to return there to sleep. I don't let mine out to roam until they have shown me that they know where they are supposed to sleep. I let mine all stay together.

When I let them out, I am out there around bedtime to make sure they do return. Usually that is not a problem but occasionally I'll have a few that don't understand the concept of gate when it is bedtime. They are so desperate to get back to their coop to sleep that they go up against the run fence and pace, trying to get through and forgetting that the gate that they have been using all day is still open 15 or 20 feet away. I herd them to that gate and they rush to bed. I only have to do that once or twice before they figure it out.