Starting to free range?

[Thomaswgordon]

We have 5 chickens all less than 1 year old. They’ve been kept inside a coop and 10x10 run for the entirety. We have 1.25 acres of land not fenced in. I’m just curious how occasional free ranging for only a couple hours here and there will go if even possible. I’m worried they will wander outside of the property or into neighbors. Also we get the perimeter of the house treated with insect control, will this be a problem also? The coop is just over 100ft from the house.

 

[Bigtom Turkey]

Chickens, shouldn't be ingesting pesticides

 

[azygous]

Insecticides applied on soil around buildings can be reactivated by rain or watering. This can pose a problem to chickens if they consume any contaminated grit.

Without any fencing, yes, chickens may wander beyond your property line. And it also makes it possible for dogs and cats and coyotes and other predators to wander onto your property and risk injury and death to your chickens.

Pointing out the obvious. But since you mentioned these things, you are already aware of the risks.

 

[Thomaswgordon]

Insecticides applied on soil around buildings can be reactivated by rain or watering. This can pose a problem to chickens if they consume any contaminated grit.

Without any fencing, yes, chickens may wander beyond your property line. And it also makes it possible for dogs and cats and coyotes and other predators to wander onto your property and risk injury and death to your chickens.

Pointing out the obvious. But since you mentioned these things, you are already aware of the risks.

Thanks! So probably not worth the potential risk for now? Or I’m wondering how responsive they are if we watch them while free ranging and keep them just around the coop area and call them back when they get too far. They definitely swarm to the run door when I give them treats.

 

[NatJ]

Or I’m wondering how responsive they are if we watch them while free ranging and keep them just around the coop area and call them back when they get too far. They definitely swarm to the run door when I give them treats.

Call them when you give treats (in the run), and pretty soon they will come running to you when you call. (The "call" can be a word, or whistling, or shaking the container of treats, or any other sound you like. If you always bring the treats in the same container, the sight of the container might be all the "call" you need.)

For chickens who come when called, it's pretty easy to put them back. Call them into the run, then close the door while they are eating. This works better with treats like scratch grains or wet mash that they stay put to eat, but does not work nearly as well with things like a bread crust that they can pick up and carry back out (I learned that the hard way!)

In general, chickens tend to stay close to their run the first few times you let them out, and wander farther away as they get more used to the area. They also tend to wander farther when they have more time. So if you only let them out for a short time, they are more likely to still be close when you want to put them back. Of course there are exceptions-- if they learn of a great place to forage, they may run there right away (example: a strawberry patch when the berries are ripe.)

 

[Mrs. K]

The longer you let them out, the farther they will go. Often times people just let them out an hour or so before sundown. They will naturally return to the coop then, without you doing anything - but don't forget to lock the door.

It is a trade off - predators verses free time.

As for the insecticide - read label directions - and a lot depends on the size of your yard, and how much area you spray.

The above post - is a good idea, if you need to round them up in a hurray - as in unexpectedly you need to leave.

Mrs K

 

[Thomaswgordon]

Call them when you give treats (in the run), and pretty soon they will come running to you when you call. (The "call" can be a word, or whistling, or shaking the container of treats, or any other sound you like. If you always bring the treats in the same container, the sight of the container might be all the "call" you need.)

For chickens who come when called, it's pretty easy to put them back. Call them into the run, then close the door while they are eating. This works better with treats like scratch grains or wet mash that they stay put to eat, but does not work nearly as well with things like a bread crust that they can pick up and carry back out (I learned that the hard way!)

In general, chickens tend to stay close to their run the first few times you let them out, and wander farther away as they get more used to the area. They also tend to wander farther when they have more time. So if you only let them out for a short time, they are more likely to still be close when you want to put them back. Of course there are exceptions-- if they learn of a great place to forage, they may run there right away (example: a strawberry patch when the berries are ripe.)

Great information, thanks!

 

[Thomaswgordon]

The longer you let them out, the farther they will go. Often times people just let them out an hour or so before sundown. They will naturally return to the coop then, without you doing anything - but don't forget to lock the door.

It is a trade off - predators verses free time.

As for the insecticide - read label directions - and a lot depends on the size of your yard, and how much area you spray.

The above post - is a good idea, if you need to round them up in a hurray - as in unexpectedly you need to leave.

Mrs K

Thank you! We have a pest control company that comes and does treatments. It’s just right up against the house foundation.

 

[azygous]

Find out the name of the insecticide the pest company uses. Do NOT take their word for it that it will not harm your animals, especially chickens. We can then look up all the information about the insecticide, half life, toxicity to animals and humans and be sure we're getting the accurate info.

 

[Thomaswgordon]

Find out the name of the insecticide the pest company uses. Do NOT take their word for it that it will not harm your animals, especially chickens. We can then look up all the information about the insecticide, half life, toxicity to animals and humans and be sure we're getting the accurate info.