Choosing to Free Range

[halleyd591]

I have 9 hens and 2 roosters. They have been enclosed in a large run for a year and have wore the ground down to dirt. I would love to start letting them free range, but I’m still unsure. We have an acre of land that is fenced in, and we have a dog that has been raised and exposed to them since I got them as chicks last year.
If I choose to let them out some..how far will they wonder from the coop?
Should they go back to the coop at night?
Any instructions on the best way to introduce them to this new lifestyle would be grately appreciated.

 

[twilightgecko]

my hens always free ranged.. we have 6 acres of woods and they never ventured too far out.. i could always see them from the house.. if i thought they were going too far, i would give them a call and they all would come running.. and they have always been great at going to bed just before dusk..
tho dealing with predators can be a pain..

 

[sylviethecochin]

They'll wander at least an acre, but it varies--where's the best foraging spot? How timid are they? Ours rarely venture outside of a few areas they've claimed, but they certainly cover more than an acre.

Hens can jump a fence. This is especially true of the light Mediterranean breeds (Leghorns, etc.) However, since yours have been raised in a pen, I expect they don't think of a fence as an obstacle they can overcome. If you really can't risk their getting out, trim the flight feathers from one wing with a pair of sharp scissors or shears.

They'll go back into the coop (their roost) as soon as it begins to get dark outside, just leave the door open. Or call them with a feed bucket when you want them to come inside. Either will work.

Also, you may want to supervise the first few times--just to make sure there are no issues. Such as their finding a hole under your fence.

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

If you only have a acre, they will forage the whole thing. If they are already used to going In The coop at night that won't be a problem. You definitely want to shut them up at night. Or else they might get eaten. It will definitely cut down on your feed cost in the summer! You hardly have to feed them!

 

[SueT]

When I let mine range, they cover about an acre with their coop as the center. They hang out all around our house as well, rarely go near the road, and for some reason, never into the neighbors pasture....maybe afraid of cows? But often the cows aren't around. They always go back to the coop to lay eggs and to roost for the night. You don't have to worry about them getting lost. They will carefully orient themselves before going too far

 

[aart]

When starting to range might be best to let them out close to roost time, an hour or so, so they don't go too far the first time out and you'll see that they come back to the coop to roost at dusk. Let them out earlier each day until they are out all day.

Meanwhile, you might think about improving the ground in the run. because there will be times they need to stay confined. Adding aged wood chips from tree trimming, dry grass, straw, hay, pine needles, etc. A good balanced mix in sizes and shapes of dry plant matter will reduce mud, 'eat' poops, and make an environment for bugs and such the birds can harvest.

 

[lazy gardener]

What aart said. Any bare soil run can be greatly improved by converting it to deep litter.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

A single hen or rooster can range on 25 acres. As has been previously mentioned the Mediterranean breeds are more athletic and adventurous and they could range wider. The breeds more broke or bred to living with man may not range as far.

 

[chickens really]

With free ranging comes predators....I have a Fox problem...I used to let my Birds totally free range but that was not working...I bought an electric poultry fence which I do not power because I trained Dogs to run my property....

 

[Lexi108]

Chickens aren't like other animals. They know what home is, and I've found thaf they really don't like exploring other areas
Or wandering off. I take my chickens to the park, I'm a familiar face, so they follow me. They stick to what they know. They will go back in the coop at night and they won't go far. If they do, they were probably chased. You should definitrly let them free range good luck