Went to clean my coop and...

[nwgirl]

I usually let mine out too a 2-3 hours before sunset. They run around flapping their wings, scratch the dirt and nibble on grass, but if I'm going to be out in the afternoon gardening I'll let them out so they can help me. I no more start to pull a weed and they are right there. Even my dog has gotten into helping me garden now too. He gets in the garden and stands there or he'll lay in the pile of weeds that I throw off to the side. It makes my garden chores so much more enjoyable

 

[Serrin]

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Ain't it the truth!! It makes me wonder how I ever got my gardening done without the help of my feathered and furred friends!!!

 

[juliect]

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No offense taken here. I wish I could let my girls free-range....but thanks to hawks, coyotes, and the neighbors' dogs, I sadly can't. I do make an effort to get them some outdoor time, everyday, about two hours before sunset...with me standing guard with a big stick (one of the neighborhood dogs is absolutely fearless) like some kind of crazy "Walking Tall" chicken lady

The chickens apparently view me as their protector, whenever they are startled they will run straight for me and huddle around my legs.

 

[keeperofthehearth]

I have a very large fenced in chook yard, (approx. 3000sq. ft. +) but still have 4 young EE's free ranging.

These four learned to jump on the net fencing and balance on a folded edge then jump out. After chasing them 2-3 times a day to get them back in I gave up when I discovered they knew how to get back in also. Sooo, now they're in and out of the chook yard a number of times a day and make raids on the Scovy grain & duck chow. I did lose one young BO that was ranging w/them but had a tendancy to wander by herself & I won't be too suprised if I lose another one or two.

I just don't have the time or energy to run these 4 down all the time and only one other little one, another even younger EE, is learning how to jump/climb the fence. Most of my chooks are "good" and happily stay inside unless I open the gate for them to go out. 4 onery malcontents! Jeesh!