My Speckled Sussexes don't free range well

[Airyaman]

Granted, they are my youngest flock @ 10.5 weeks, but they don't move around much when I let them have free range time. Usually I will find them all bunched up, hiding behind something. The last two times I found them all hanging out under the coop which is only about 12" above the ground. Now it is much cooler under there and it is 90+ degrees outside so I can't say I blame them, but they have 1/4 acre to roam in and they never go more than a few feet from the coop area.

Any suggestions to get them to spread out a bit more and take advantage of the area?

 

[ChickQueen77]

even when i have chickens the same age as yours and they have a big run but they always stay bunched up but when they get to about 6 months old they will stop bunching up

 

[Ridgerunner]

Any suggestions to get them to spread out a bit more and take advantage of the area?

So your babies are not acting like adults. To me, that does not sound that strange. Just be patient and give them time.

 

[Airyaman]

even when i have chickens the same age as yours and they have a big run but they always stay bunched up but when they get to about 6 months old they will stop bunching up

My oldest birds are 17 weeks and they can't wait to get away from each other when I let them out. They get angry and fight when they have to go back in

 

[The Birb King]

That sounds pretty normal to me. Younger chickens are usually just more skittish of new things, especially if they were raised in a brooder

 

[BoundlessLove]

I agree. It is age.
(Speckled) Sussex are a larger breed of chicken and they mature slower than smaller production breeds. This includes beginning to lay eggs.

 

[BoundlessLove]

On a positive note, as adults they are excellent foragers. And their feather coloring offers great camouflage.

 

[Airyaman]

I agree. It is age.
(Speckled) Sussex are a larger breed of chicken and they mature slower than smaller production breeds. This includes beginning to lay eggs.

I did a double take on this because my 17 week old SS is the smallest of her mixed flock. I guess she will at least get bigger than the CCLs then with a bit more time.

Now she is different than the younger SS flock. She is one of the best free rangers of her flock so I suppose I can expect them to change as they do get older.

She is also an amazing flier. I was standing in the door of the coop and she flew up to land on my shoulder (I'm still not sure what I can do to break her of that or even if I need to).The front door of the coop is probably 20" above the ground and I'm 6' tall so that is wild imo.

 

[Ridgerunner]

She is also an amazing flier. I was standing in the door of the coop and she flew up to land on my shoulder (I'm still not sure what I can do to break her of that or even if I need to).The front door of the coop is probably 20" above the ground and I'm 6' tall so that is wild imo.

Welcome to reality. Other than Silkies or other chickens that cannot fly most chickens can reach pretty high locations by flying if they want to. I'm constantly amazed by all of the posts I see on this forum where people think they cannot fly. It is usually not a question of can they, it is a question of if they want to.

 

[Folly's place]

Already mentioned, they are young, and probably brooder raised, so no mother hen to teach them and integrate into the adult flock sooner. Also, it's hot out there! All my birds run to the shade of the shrub and spruce area next to their coop immediately in this weather. They find the worms and bugs in the moist shade, and go into the open areas later. All normal.
Our SS hens have been bold and interactive individuals, one of my favorite breeds.
Mary