- May 19, 2010
- 131
- 6
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I have spent some time building a coop and a small run, and have also acquired my flock.......four barred rocks, five production reds, and a dominicker rooster.
Right now they are all hanging out in the run...it is 6' x 4' x 3' tall, and, as you would expect, they area little cramped and it really needs a thorough mucking out every two or three days to stay anywhere near clean. I HAVE learned that laying down some grass clippings with some diatomaceous earth sprinkled in helps it stay smell-and-fly free quite a bit longer.
Anyway, it occurs to me that these chickens would be infinitely happier if they could free range, but I don't know what to expect that first time I let them out. I am no spring chicken myself and can't imagine having to chase them down to get them back in the run if I have to go somewhere and don't want to leave them unattended.
So....what do you suggest? My main concern is if I can let them out for, say, a couple of hours or so, and then expect to round them all up if I have to leave?
And what if it gets dark and they haven't all come back?
I know, I know....I guess you have to "let go" at some point and just accept that it is what it is, I was just hoping to hear from someone who had experienced this anxiety and how it turned out.
Thanks,
DD
Right now they are all hanging out in the run...it is 6' x 4' x 3' tall, and, as you would expect, they area little cramped and it really needs a thorough mucking out every two or three days to stay anywhere near clean. I HAVE learned that laying down some grass clippings with some diatomaceous earth sprinkled in helps it stay smell-and-fly free quite a bit longer.
Anyway, it occurs to me that these chickens would be infinitely happier if they could free range, but I don't know what to expect that first time I let them out. I am no spring chicken myself and can't imagine having to chase them down to get them back in the run if I have to go somewhere and don't want to leave them unattended.
So....what do you suggest? My main concern is if I can let them out for, say, a couple of hours or so, and then expect to round them all up if I have to leave?
And what if it gets dark and they haven't all come back?
I know, I know....I guess you have to "let go" at some point and just accept that it is what it is, I was just hoping to hear from someone who had experienced this anxiety and how it turned out.
Thanks,
DD