Supervised free range?

[Groo]

I have just begun supervised free ranging with my flock of 14 week old bantams here in Maine. So far, so good. My corgi, Norm, stands guard and helps me herd them if they stray too far. I am a newbie and I love letting them range around the yard!

 

[Brucepierce]

Before you start letting them out, teach them to come for treats. I use a plastic tub and scratch grain. Shake the grain and call the birds. Give them treats only in their run, so that they understand to get the treats they need to go in. My birds come running whenever I call them and happily go back into their run.

I do the same....I'll call them, shake my solo cup with cracked corn...head real fast to their run...and watch the birds b-line it to the run...they can be hilarious sometimes

 

[chicken hero]

Hi there yes I feel the same I like to let my birds have their freedom, BUT I would most definitely say make sure you know what pets your neighbours have.
I just recently had two of my girls killed by a neighbours dog and we have FENCES.

 

[Groo]

I'm really sorry to hear of your losses, Chicken Hero. That must have been awful!!! You make a good point...I do know about my neighbors and their dogs. They are pretty far away, too, which helps.

The chickens are getting braver and strayed further from me on our "out" last night. Makes me nervous but Norm is helpful!

 

[Groo]

So far so good with my supervised free ranging. So glad I saw this thread. We spend an hour or so outside every evening just before dusk. They are happy happy happy to be outside. My corgi Norm and I keep a close watch on them.