Thinking About Free-Ranging

[lmadeline146]

My flock of 11 are 18wks old with 2 roos. (The roo’s have not begun fighting yet so we are going to watch carefully). I’m thinking about letting them out to free range at about 7:00pm tomorrow. They tend to go into their coop at 8-8:30pm. For their first time out of the run, i’m going to sit down there and watch them carefully to make sure they’re not wandering off or getting hurt. I’m working on training a recall for them, and it’s been going well so far. Are they ready to free-range, or should I wait longer?

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Mine are free ranging by 10 weeks, usually sooner. So age is not your concern. Local predator load, your range defenses, infection risk, and loss tolerance are the only things that matter in determining that answer.

 

[lmadeline146]

Mine are free ranging by 10 weeks, usually sooner. So age is not your concern. Local predator load, your range defenses, infection risk, and loss tolerance are the only things that matter in determining that answer.

We killed a few coons last week, and haven’t seen anything since. We’ve also had live traps outside every night and haven’t caught anything. We have lots of trees and bushes for the chickens to hide under, and their coop will be open for them to enter at anytime. We’re also not planning on free ranging them at all when we’re not home or not able to check on them.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Keep an eye out for the trash panda, they are HIGHLY effective predators.

otherwise, sounds like you are ready.

 

[Sally PB]

Good luck!

Oh, remember, there might be aerial predators too.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

It's a judgement call on your part. Some don't have enough space, others won't take the risk. I fall into have the space and feel it's worth the risk category/opinion. I have 11 also, half are same age as your's and I know the reason they all get along and I don't have alot of the run troubles I read about is due to free ranging. You've defined what free ranging is for you and it sounds good to me. I like your idea to start out slow, soon enough you'll let them out for most of the day. ENJOY.

 

[lmadeline146]

Good luck!

Oh, remember, there might be aerial predators too.

We’re leaving their coop open all day while they free range and also have lots bushes and trees for them to hide under.

 

[lmadeline146]

Keep an eye out for the trash panda, they are HIGHLY effective predators.

otherwise, sounds like you are ready.

Majority are trained to follow me when i call, but a few still aren’t perfect at it, like our roosters. Do you think they’ll follow the rest of the flock when i call/ go in the coop on their own since it would be near sunset?

 

[JFF12]

My 8 week old buffs free ranging for the first time! They’re so happy.

 

[JFF12]

My 8 week old buffs free ranging for the first time! They’re so happy.

And yes there is wire mesh all around, including in between the run and the barn (where they sleep).