We Free Ranged for the first time!!!

[Ole rooster]

The only thing that would frighten me about the deal is letting them out for the first time and leaving. How many folks have done just that and come home to feathers all over the place?

But don't they love it?

 

[Gargoyle]

Quote:
The rooster was watching the godfather and got the idea- he left that as a warning for the dogs to leave his girls alone.

 

[LoveMyFeatherBabies]

Day two of free ranging went really well also! We had a slight scare as we came home and started counting chickens and couldn't find our rooster Waylon. I got the spotlight and started looking around. He had roosted on the ledge above the outside doors to the nesting boxes!! What a relief!!

 

[rungirl]

I used to just free range them when I was home, but eventually I got the courage to let them out when I was gone. They tend to hang out all day under bushes and in a brushy area near the edge of the yard. The rooster is very protective when he sees danger and they are good at scattering and hiding if something does come around. Now I let them out early in the morning and lock them up when I get home at dark. I did build an automatic pop door opener/closer, in case I get home too late. I look at it this way, they have a much better quality of life roaming around and hanging out dust batheing under bushes than if I lock them in a coop/run all day. If something were to happen, (knock on wood it doesn't), I would be sad, but at least I know they had a great chicken life. The only chickens I have lost have been when something broke into my coop at night and killed a hen. That was worse because they can't get away or see in the dark and it's my job to provide safety at night when they are most vulnerable. You have to decide for yourself whether it's worth the risk or not. I think the risk is fairly low for me, but that's not always the case for others.

Lisa

 

[johnsons-r-us]

Yes, rungirl, I agree with you completely. I have the same routine with mine and wouldn't have it any other way.

I know I will have losses at some point, but that's just part of the process.

 

[flowergirl60]

I have been letting mine roam my backyard for almost a year. Even when I leave the house. They seem to stay hanging out under trees and bushes and the playscape. Or under the tables on the deck. I don't think they are that dumb. They don't seem to like being out in the open. Good for them. The quality of life is much better. The only time they will hang in the open is when I am out with them.

 

[LoveMyFeatherBabies]

I definitely think that I could let them out all day. My only concerns are these: 1. We live on a road that is not very busy but people drive VERY fast on it. 2. We live in the old church parsonage next to the graveyard where people come to visit their dead family members and I don't know how well that would go over LOL.

I know that they are really good at hiding/laying low if they see trouble. I saw this at my in laws house this past week. A hawk was flying over and all the chickens took cover under tractors, decks, or whatever they could hide under. I am just nervous about those two things.