So how does free ranging work?

[gritsar]

Quote:
Good suggestions from all.
My chickens have been free ranging since they were about 2-1/2 weeks old; first with lots of supervision. I gave them less and less supervision as they got older and bolder. Now they free range all day. Although I can gather them all back at the coop by hollering "C'mon Girls", I don't depend on that. I like knowing that they will return to the coop at dusk whether I am around or not. We've been delayed in town from time to time (past dark) and when I get home I find that all I have to do is a head count and lock everyone in.
I am now in the process of training my 4 wk. old chicks to free range. I always wait until about two hours before dusk to take them out and then turn on a light on the screened porch, where their brooder is. The layer chicks "got it" from the very first night. The meat chickens are a bit slow to make the connection.

 

[Mrs. K]

I always think it a bit of a back up, to be able to call mine. So everytime I feed them, a treat or their feed, I alway call "here.....chick,chick,chick. They all come running to see. I can do a head count, or get them in the run or whatever.

I also use a long stick if I have a stubborn one who doesn't want to get in the run. Sometimes, you want to be able to lock them up before dark, if you are going out in the evening. I have had bad luck with predators between 7-11:00 at night.

mk