Small scale free ranging?

[Who Rules The Roost]

Good Morning! My girls are 10 weeks old today! Woo Hoo!!! As a first timer, my thoughts were to never free range because of predators and a million other reasons my wild imagination could take me to. I've grown quite attached to all of them and they are an investment I don't take lightly. But as I spend time with them and watch them...they love when I bring them weeds and grass etc. I can see some "free ranging" would be so good for them and they'd love it. But on a small scale. They have a run that isn't huge but affords them more than enough room than what is recommended but I'd like to give them some time to scratch up insects and be curious and well, have some fun being chickens. I need your ideas and wisdom on how to do this on a small type scale if that's possible? I'm scared that if I just let them out I'll never see them again lol, but seriously, that's my fear. Or they'll get into something I don't want them to. And I know they will if I don't have a good plan as to where they are allowed to go. How do you all do this without spending a bunch of money on fencing etc? How will I get them back into the coop when It's time or if I have to leave? They come to me when I enter the run to see what I'm going to bring them. But if I let them out will they still come to me when I want them too? They are a friendly flock but don't really like to be picked up or to be petted necessarily even though I've always tried to get them used to this. It's just their personality so I try to be respectful of what they like and don't like . Your ideas are greatly needed. Don't know if it matters but I have 4 RIR's and 6 Silver Laced Wyandotte's. No roos, only ladies.

 

[Stipenvlerk]

Hi @Who Rules The Roost
I’m free ranging and have a small flock. During the day they can go where they like to go.
During the night they get locked inside. My fences are natural (river=safish and creek (not so safe because of the road on the other side.) I can make myself go crazy over it but they hardly ever go to they road since the river is tempting too.. So for now I let it go. I rather like them to have a good life than restricting them without meaning. Probably I’m installing sheep fencing on the other side of the creek later this year since I have still some doubts, don’t want to loose them .

I do look for a solution when I’m on the road for work or leisure. maybe a big coop for those days I’m not there without automatic feeder and drink system .

the fencing which is waaaaay to expensive in my opinion
https://www.gamma.nl/assortiment/schapenhek-frans-kastanje-100x500-cm/p/B215161

 

[Who Rules The Roost]

So they come home on their own in the evening i assume? I've watched on YouTube how some people call them to the coop via shaking the treat jar lol. Have you ever lost one to predators during free ranging?

 

[Mrs. K]

Yes, I have lost them due to free ranging, but I have also lost them due to fort knox not quite being fort knox. Coons are my nemesis.

Let them out an hour before dark, just sit out there with them and watch them. You will both enjoy it, it is relaxing, and that would be pretty darn safe. If you are busy, don't let them out, they will be fine.

They will naturally go towards the coop and run as dark come on. You won't have to do anything. If every time you feed them, you sing out a repetitive word, do so, and they will come running, in the chance that something would come up that you needed to leave unexpectedly. But even if they didn't and you left, they would be in the coop when you got back. The urge to roost is a very powerful roost, and they like sleeping in the same place each night.

I would not recommend you leave them out all day, the longer you leave them out, the more risk you take. The more often you leave them out, the more risk you take. If you would be truly heartbroken, and some people are, then you might not let them out at all.

Once in while, is the least risk of all.

Mrs K

 

[Ridgerunner]

Any time you let them out they are at risk. People have posted on here about a fox grabbing one within 15 feet of where they were standing. You being out there helps a lot but it is no guarantee. If you would be absolutely devastated to lose one it's probably not a good idea for you. As Mrs K said, there is risk even when you have them locked up.

Good fences can be expensive. If you don't have a cover, they are still exposed to flying predators. And many predators climb over or dig under. Many of us do let their chickens out, at least some of the time. Reading your post I'm not convinced it's something you should try.
They will be fine in a pen as long as they have sufficient room. Don't feel guilty about trying to keep them alive when they don't know any better. They would enjoy being out there chasing grasshoppers and scratching for creepy crawlies you might not want to think too much about, but they will have a good life and be alive in a safe pen. Just spend a few minutes gathering some green stuff and toss it into the run. They'll love it.

 

[Who Rules The Roost]

Thank you Mrs K and Ridgrunner! I was feeling a bit guilty not letting them out. I will continue to throw in the greens that they love. Maybe a wood stump to change things up?

 

[3KillerBs]

The chickens would absolutely love it if you raked up some old leaves/pine straw from under a hedgerow and brought it to them (bugs and all).

My in-town chickens could never be let out and they LOVED it when I put a wheelbarrow load of that kind of aged yard waste into the coop. They were like kids -- kicking it around and digging in it.

 

[locoyosh]

We trained our birds to come when we clap our hands. When they come, we give them cracked corn. It works like a charm and they pick up on it pretty quickly. Now, if we see a hawk flying overhead, we clap our hands and they come running, usually right into their run/coop, excited for their corn! So you could try that if you decide to let them out. It has worked well for us and it gives us at least a little peace of mind that we're able to get them to safety quickly if need be.

 

[aart]

I was feeling a bit guilty not letting them out. I will continue to throw in the greens that they love. Maybe a wood stump to change things up?

Yep, put some 'stuff' in the run.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

And grow fresh greens with a grazing frame:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/grazing-frames.73645/

 

[Who Rules The Roost]

The chickens would absolutely love it if you raked up some old leaves/pine straw from under a hedgerow and brought it to them (bugs and all).

My in-town chickens could never be let out and they LOVED it when I put a wheelbarrow load of that kind of aged yard waste into the coop. They were like kids -- kicking it around and digging in it.

You are probably gonna think I'm a real ninny muggins, but is pine straw simply dropped pine needles from under pine trees?