There they go...

[ButtermilkMama]

The girls are free-ranging for the first time today. I hope this evening isn't too chaotic since I have no plan on how to get them back inside. Whatever happens later, it'll be a fun day in the yard.

 

[newchicksnducks]

The first time I let my chickens free range, I planned it for an hour or so before dusk. This let them have some free time, and then when it was dusk, they all headed back to the coop! (I assume you have kept your birds in the coop for a week or so by now). Start giving them treats and calling "Here, chick, chick, chick.." etc so that they relate your calling to yummies...Then when you have to leave early for appointments, they'll be more likely to come when you call them and you can lock them up before you go Enjoy!!

 

[markb816]

I don't think that I left my girls in the coop long enough when I 1st got them. When I let them free range they did fine, staying close to the coop, but at dusk, they decided to roost in the trees. Luckily, they were low limbs, so I spent a deal of time picking up the girls and manually putting them in the coop. It was my 1st time ever even being close to a chicken, much less touch one or pick one up, so I was really nervous about it, One even tried to roost on my head! I did this for two nights, and started thinking how long I would be able to keep this up. Fortunately, on the 3rd night, two went in on their own in the coop. The next night two more and so on and so on. Now they just go in on their own and every night.

 

[ButtermilkMama]

I have yet to need to lure them in somehow. Noonish, my daughter was following them around the yard and walked right back into the run. I took advantage of my luck and closed the door.