First time to free range?!?

[Coolbreeze89]

Brand new to poultry... i have a mix of chicks (and ducklings, goslings, poults...yeah, I’m addicted already!) in the brooder, and am busy preparing their coops and runs. I’d like to let them have time free-ranging, as my entire property has 6-8 foot perimeter fencing. I’ll let them get settled in their coop/run once temps ok, but....how do I know when they’re “trained” to go back to their roost at night? I have images of me chasing poultry with a big net, trying to get them back in their space... Sorry, anxious newbie. Don’t laugh too hard! . Thanks!

 

[happychickies101]

I don’t recommend letting them free range yet!

 

[Spartan22]

They’re creatures of habit, let them be cooped up in the coop for weeks even a month to get used to their new home, get used to perching in their own roosting positions in the coop and have a few visit in the run gradually before letting them have free range of run and coop. Once They’re have that established their safe home, you can gradually free range. I didn’t do free range until they know where to lay eggs, other wise you’ll be looking for eggs everywhere since they will develop that kind of habit. Now there is the free range dangers- hawks, neighbors cat & dogs, your own pets are predators.
There are so many heart aches of loosing their flocks to those unforseen things since we had the fantasy of having our beautiful birds roaming around happily, remember domesticated fowls though they have instinct to preserve themselves lacked the jungle skill to survive.

 

[Life is Good!]

Not laughing - most of us would admit to being newbie once upon a time!

Since your chicks are still in a brooder, I'm guessing they are less than 2 months old. Our set-up is a bit different...but I'll give you some tips I've used to successfully help young chickens figure out life. Spartan 22 gave you a bunch of good tips above! Especially about the 'know where to lay' - that's key! There's a few things I'd add to their note...

Our chicks stay in a brooder (with Brinsea Ecoglow) for 2 weeks. At two weeks, I put them into their own coop with the Ecoglow as warmth. I do not let them out into their run until they are 4 weeks old - mostly because by then, they're big enough to stay in their run. Younger and/or smaller, they find the gaps in the gate/fence joint and wriggle their way into trouble. And chasing a baby chick in the dark is not much fun!

I train the chicks from the time they're in the brooder that I bring treats. When they're little, it's live mealworms (I grow my own) or dandelion leaves (we don't spray) or cold chopped up scrambled eggs (good protein even if it's a bit weird). I do this daily, usually about the same time. When they're bigger, I introduce them to BOSS (black oil sunflower seeds) - which is commonly known here as chicken crack. I serve this by putting the BOSS into a bright red scoop (remember chicks can see red), and shake it to make noise. It's amazing how fast they learn that sound!

Then, when they're bigger and I need them to return to the coop - all I have to do is call them and shake that scoop with BOSS in it. And they come RUNNING! (which is also of great humor value!) Think severe thunderstorm coming fast and they're out oblivious to the skies...done that too many times to count. They do eventually come in out of the rain, but mercy, they'd rather not!

I do not let the chicks out of their protected run until they are at minimum 5#'s weight. That's too big for a kestrel to take as prey. Anything smaller, and they could be fodder for some aerial predator (for us kestrels and red tailed hawks, owls at night). Also take into account - neighbor's dogs, wandering raccoon, stupid skunk, wayward curious children, etc. Not sure of your neighborhood, but be wary!

But, when they are small, I do take a 50' fence with some push-in garden posts, make a big circle and put a waterer in it and a large box or other hidey-spot and let them be 'out' with protection. Typically, this is a weekend thing, where I'm out in the garden nearby and keep an eye on things with my dog overseeing it all. They think it's wonderful, have some fun, but are still protected. Make sure you have extra hands available to cart everyone back 'home' at the end of the session. (That's what the box is for - easy transport! A lid is a helpful thing here...btdt...)

Now, if there's a protective Momma involved - don't EVER mess with Momma! - things are a bit different. And I'll let the chicks with Momma out in the yard (with me nearby) at about 4-6wks old. Not sooner.

I hope this helps you! Best of luck!

 

[Coolbreeze89]

Not laughing - most of us would admit to being newbie once upon a time!

Since your chicks are still in a brooder, I'm guessing they are less than 2 months old. Our set-up is a bit different...but I'll give you some tips I've used to successfully help young chickens figure out life. Spartan 22 gave you a bunch of good tips above! Especially about the 'know where to lay' - that's key! There's a few things I'd add to their note...

Our chicks stay in a brooder (with Brinsea Ecoglow) for 2 weeks. At two weeks, I put them into their own coop with the Ecoglow as warmth. I do not let them out into their run until they are 4 weeks old - mostly because by then, they're big enough to stay in their run. Younger and/or smaller, they find the gaps in the gate/fence joint and wriggle their way into trouble. And chasing a baby chick in the dark is not much fun!

I train the chicks from the time they're in the brooder that I bring treats. When they're little, it's live mealworms (I grow my own) or dandelion leaves (we don't spray) or cold chopped up scrambled eggs (good protein even if it's a bit weird). I do this daily, usually about the same time. When they're bigger, I introduce them to BOSS (black oil sunflower seeds) - which is commonly known here as chicken crack. I serve this by putting the BOSS into a bright red scoop (remember chicks can see red), and shake it to make noise. It's amazing how fast they learn that sound!

Then, when they're bigger and I need them to return to the coop - all I have to do is call them and shake that scoop with BOSS in it. And they come RUNNING! (which is also of great humor value!) Think severe thunderstorm coming fast and they're out oblivious to the skies...done that too many times to count. They do eventually come in out of the rain, but mercy, they'd rather not!

I do not let the chicks out of their protected run until they are at minimum 5#'s weight. That's too big for a kestrel to take as prey. Anything smaller, and they could be fodder for some aerial predator (for us kestrels and red tailed hawks, owls at night). Also take into account - neighbor's dogs, wandering raccoon, stupid skunk, wayward curious children, etc. Not sure of your neighborhood, but be wary!

But, when they are small, I do take a 50' fence with some push-in garden posts, make a big circle and put a waterer in it and a large box or other hidey-spot and let them be 'out' with protection. Typically, this is a weekend thing, where I'm out in the garden nearby and keep an eye on things with my dog overseeing it all. They think it's wonderful, have some fun, but are still protected. Make sure you have extra hands available to cart everyone back 'home' at the end of the session. (That's what the box is for - easy transport! A lid is a helpful thing here...btdt...)

Now, if there's a protective Momma involved - don't EVER mess with Momma! - things are a bit different. And I'll let the chicks with Momma out in the yard (with me nearby) at about 4-6wks old. Not sooner.

I hope this helps you! Best of luck!

Thank you so much! This has really helped me clarify a plan to move forward. I love the BOSS/red scoop idea!

 

[Coolbreeze89]

They’re creatures of habit, let them be cooped up in the coop for weeks even a month to get used to their new home, get used to perching in their own roosting positions in the coop and have a few visit in the run gradually before letting them have free range of run and coop. Once They’re have that established their safe home, you can gradually free range. I didn’t do free range until they know where to lay eggs, other wise you’ll be looking for eggs everywhere since they will develop that kind of habit. Now there is the free range dangers- hawks, neighbors cat & dogs, your own pets are predators.
There are so many heart aches of loosing their flocks to those unforseen things since we had the fantasy of having our beautiful birds roaming around happily, remember domesticated fowls though they have instinct to preserve themselves lacked the jungle skill to survive.

Thanks! To clarify - I don’t have to wait til they lay eggs, only til they’re thoroughly clear where home/safety is? And agreed on predators! Hawks during the day is my predator biggest concern, as we are well fenced (and very rural re other people, pets). That, and training my sweet LGD with the birds. That will be a long process from all my reading, but we’re already working.

 

[kmhudson3]

Not laughing - most of us would admit to being newbie once upon a time!

Since your chicks are still in a brooder, I'm guessing they are less than 2 months old. Our set-up is a bit different...but I'll give you some tips I've used to successfully help young chickens figure out life. Spartan 22 gave you a bunch of good tips above! Especially about the 'know where to lay' - that's key! There's a few things I'd add to their note...

Our chicks stay in a brooder (with Brinsea Ecoglow) for 2 weeks. At two weeks, I put them into their own coop with the Ecoglow as warmth. I do not let them out into their run until they are 4 weeks old - mostly because by then, they're big enough to stay in their run. Younger and/or smaller, they find the gaps in the gate/fence joint and wriggle their way into trouble. And chasing a baby chick in the dark is not much fun!

I train the chicks from the time they're in the brooder that I bring treats. When they're little, it's live mealworms (I grow my own) or dandelion leaves (we don't spray) or cold chopped up scrambled eggs (good protein even if it's a bit weird). I do this daily, usually about the same time. When they're bigger, I introduce them to BOSS (black oil sunflower seeds) - which is commonly known here as chicken crack. I serve this by putting the BOSS into a bright red scoop (remember chicks can see red), and shake it to make noise. It's amazing how fast they learn that sound!

Then, when they're bigger and I need them to return to the coop - all I have to do is call them and shake that scoop with BOSS in it. And they come RUNNING! (which is also of great humor value!) Think severe thunderstorm coming fast and they're out oblivious to the skies...done that too many times to count. They do eventually come in out of the rain, but mercy, they'd rather not!

I do not let the chicks out of their protected run until they are at minimum 5#'s weight. That's too big for a kestrel to take as prey. Anything smaller, and they could be fodder for some aerial predator (for us kestrels and red tailed hawks, owls at night). Also take into account - neighbor's dogs, wandering raccoon, stupid skunk, wayward curious children, etc. Not sure of your neighborhood, but be wary!

But, when they are small, I do take a 50' fence with some push-in garden posts, make a big circle and put a waterer in it and a large box or other hidey-spot and let them be 'out' with protection. Typically, this is a weekend thing, where I'm out in the garden nearby and keep an eye on things with my dog overseeing it all. They think it's wonderful, have some fun, but are still protected. Make sure you have extra hands available to cart everyone back 'home' at the end of the session. (That's what the box is for - easy transport! A lid is a helpful thing here...btdt...)

Now, if there's a protective Momma involved - don't EVER mess with Momma! - things are a bit different. And I'll let the chicks with Momma out in the yard (with me nearby) at about 4-6wks old. Not sooner.

I hope this helps you! Best of luck!

Great info! Thanks from another Newbie!

 

[kmhudson3]

They’re creatures of habit, let them be cooped up in the coop for weeks even a month to get used to their new home, get used to perching in their own roosting positions in the coop and have a few visit in the run gradually before letting them have free range of run and coop. Once They’re have that established their safe home, you can gradually free range. I didn’t do free range until they know where to lay eggs, other wise you’ll be looking for eggs everywhere since they will develop that kind of habit. Now there is the free range dangers- hawks, neighbors cat & dogs, your own pets are predators.
There are so many heart aches of loosing their flocks to those unforseen things since we had the fantasy of having our beautiful birds roaming around happily, remember domesticated fowls though they have instinct to preserve themselves lacked the jungle skill to survive.

Great info! Thanks from another Newbie!

 

[Life is Good!]

Thanks! To clarify - I don’t have to wait til they lay eggs, only til they’re thoroughly clear where home/safety is?

It takes a chicken about 3 days to understand where "home" is...sometimes a week with a really slow chicken. So whenever I'm moving chickens around (we have two coops, 2 'coopettes' and an emergency/injured crate) - if it's the first time for that chicken to be moved, I'll leave them (literally) cooped up in the coop for at least 24 hrs (one night, full day, next night). The following morning, I'll let them out into the run. That first night, I double check that everyone went home to the right place and re-arrange as necessary, for as long as necessary (just a couple days). I use one coop as a broody-Mom coop/baby chick coop/etc, the other coop is the main coop. The coopettes are used for different aged chicks/new Moms with chicks, etc.

As for 'teaching' the girls where to lay - most get it, some just are determined to lay where THEY want to lay. I have a hen who just didn't seem to understand what was happening to her body and would lay next to the waterer, the feeder, wherever she had been standing at the moment! Took her about 5mo (and snow) to realize, oh THAT's what those boxes are for?! Can't tell you how many times I crawled under our coop to rescue an egg. (Possums are bad here and are drawn to slightly stinky eggs)

I even tried the ceramic eggs in the nest box. Nope, she didn't get it. A customer ended up with one...wasn't their family surprised?! You'll learn as you go along...just keep reading on the forums here!

 

[featherhead007]

I tried a ceramic egg once, Kinda hard to chew, and not much flavor!