Scared to free range.

[MommaHen1996]

So my back yard is perfectly safe to let my girls free range in but I’m just too anxietyfied about it...like there’s no escape holes or predators... or poisonous plants...but I just am scared like what if one of them could jump the 6 ft fence? Or what if they decide they don’t want to back into their run and coop.
...

 

[cherrynberry]

So my back yard is perfectly safe to let my girls free range in but I’m just too anxietyfied about it...like there’s no escape holes or predators... or poisonous plants...but I just am scared like what if one of them could jump the 6 ft fence? Or what if they decide they don’t want to back into their run and coop.
...

I personally free range myself, been doing it for more than a year. And we only ever lost one to a predator (it was still sad). I know it does not suit everyone. I just let them free range on their gated in pasture. But we are lucky enough to be home all the time, so we watch out for predators. I would suggest that if you are unsure of doing it full time, just let them free range at dawn (when I am guessing you will be home?). Then just watch them every once in awhile. In my experience, the thing that is the most important is to watch for predators.

 

[Isadora]

A great place to start is to let them free range about an hour before dusk so they don't have a chance to wander as far. And if your chickens have been in the coop this whole time, I wouldn't worry about them not going back. Chickens love to go to sleep in the same spot!
But I mean, don't feel like you HAVE to free range if it is that stressful for you. We all have to do what works for us, and free-ranging doesn't work for everybody.

 

[Brooks_]

A great place to start is to let them free range about an hour before dusk so they don't have a chance to wander as far. And if your chickens have been in the coop this whole time, I wouldn't worry about them not going back. Chickens love to go to sleep in the same spot!
But I mean, don't feel like you HAVE to free range if it is that stressful for you. We all have to do what works for us, and free-ranging doesn't work for everybody.

Agreed. I would free range but my conditions aren't right. However, they do get free time for 1-3 hrs in the evening at least 5 days a week.

 

[MommaHen1996]

Well I’m a stay at home mom, so I can watch them... I’m just so nervous they won’t wanna go home. I’m going to try the hour before dark thing...and maybe offer them some soldier worms as a treat to get them back in,

 

[Brooks_]

Well I’m a stay at home mom, so I can watch them... I’m just so nervous they won’t wanna go home. I’m going to try the hour before dark thing...and maybe offer them some soldier worms as a treat to get them back in,

How old are they? Do they go back in from the run? You likely won't need to bribe them back in.

 

[MommaHen1996]

My oldest is 1 1/2 years old. Youngest layer is 6 months old. They are 10 pounders, so I’m not to worried about the fielders, but more about my cream legbar, and EE

 

[MommaHen1996]

The EE and the Legbar can fly to the top of my 8 ft run... to perch on the supports.

 

[Isadora]

The EE and the Legbar can fly to the top of my 8 ft run... to perch on the supports.

Would you consider clipping the flight feathers on one wing? They wouldn't be able to reach those supports after that though, so if that's important to you don't do it.

 

[Brooks_]

My oldest is 1 1/2 years old. Youngest layer is 6 months old. They are 10 pounders, so I’m not to worried about the fielders, but more about my cream legbar, and EE

I think they'll be fine with evening free time or more.