Questions on free ranging

[campclaus]

I'm new to chickens.. I free range my chickies only when I am home. I have 2 questions. Do I need to put them in there pen when they are calling for a storm? I always thought they would just go back on there own if they senced a storm, but they don't.
Second question is as they get older will they get more bolder? They seem to stay close to the house and don't Rome to far. They are about 18 weeks..
Thanks!

 

[maidenwolfx80]

I only let mine range in the evening while I am home. I sitout with them,, yea they are my little babies. I put them up when it rains but if its not raining I sit out there till it starts to rain. I keep their fav treat with me so if I need to lure them inside I can.
They will stay pretty close by to their known safety, sometimes you will get a few that are brave and curious and will explore, but they dont stay gone far for long. Most of them stay within a certain area around the coop.

 

[Daisy8s]

The joy of free ranging is watching your flock develop its own habits. Over the years I've seen the flock go inside for storms or stay outside under their favorite pine tree or walk around in the rain. I've seen them choose one area to mainly eat from and then move on to another area. There are so many factors at play--including who is the leader of the flock and the time of year.

It's fun to give them as many options as you can (e.g. don't make them go in their coop just because you think they should) and then see how they decide to spend their days and solve their problems. I've learned so much about chicken behavior and flock dynamics by spending more time watching and less time intervening.

(Of course, if a really serious storm was looming and you felt they could get hurt from flying debris due to high winds, then you might put them in a safe place. It's good to develop a routine where you give a special call and break out some special treats that they only get inside their coop so that they'll come in even when they wouldn't normally--useful for emergencies or if you need to leave and have to shut them in earlier some night.)

 

[campclaus]

Tonight I was worried because of thunder and lightening. Rain I don't worry! My chickies are getting to smart! I usually shake a can of meal worms and they come running. Now they know it means they I'll be locked up! They run to me and then turn around and run away!

 

[philc814]

iv'e watched my chickens in the rain just to see what they do and i find most times they seem to enjoy it for a while then they wander in to the coop.
my chickens seem to go exploring but they always always go back to there coop to roost. the only problem i have had when they find a hole in the fence and go to the neighbors yard they cant find the hole to get back (that hole is the only way in or out) and i need to go get them. its not to bad if your neighbor likes chickens.