To Free Range or Not To Free Range

[M_Kelley]

I have attached pictures from when we were in the process of finishing it up. I did have the food and water hanging from the bottom of the coop near where the door is but because my husband used wooden fence panels to build it, there are small cracks between each board and their food and water wouldn't stay clean so I moved it into the coop. The laying boxes are more closed off than I would like them to be so we plan on changing that. The whole coop itself isn't what I had in mind but my husband was the one building it so I just let him go with it. I started out with 8 chickens and right now I have 14....I had no intentions of having more than 8 chickens but I just couldn't help myself. They were all free ranging until a little over a week or so ago so I didn't really notice just how cramped they all were until I got all of them in there at one time. So I'm trying to get opinions and advice on the best way to renovate it without sit costing too much. I want my girls to be comfy and happy.

 

[New2Chicks97]

My hens are about 16 weeks old and I was letting them free range until 4 of them started roosting in a tree next to the coop and 2 of them were staying on top of the coop. I caught them all and put them in the coop about 4 days ago and havent let them out since. I would love to let them free range but I am worried something is going to get them and since they aren't laying yet I wondered if they would start laying in the woods or some other random place rather than using the laying boxes.....any and all advice welcome

My girls free range and started laying a bit before I started to let them free range. They were laying in the coop just fine and occasionally in the haystack next to the coop. Then two of the ring leader birds decided they should be wild birds and start laying in the grass. So we built a bigger run and they don’t get let out until they lay so they still get at least 5-6 hours of free range time but not all day. This was he only way I could get them to lay where I want them to. Now they are used to the new routine we are developing they are content with their new run & Free range time.

 

[New2Chicks97]

We didn’t have time to build a coop this spring for ours so we have a coop kit from TSC. It is ok but I have had to modify where the roosts were as they were too low. Once I added a higher roost the girls were happier.

I do hope to build a better coop for next year andbuse this one for a brooder coop.

Have fun renovating your coop!

 

[M_Kelley]

My girls free range and started laying a bit before I started to let them free range. They were laying in the coop just fine and occasionally in the haystack next to the coop. Then two of the ring leader birds decided they should be wild birds and start laying in the grass. So we built a bigger run and they don’t get let out until they lay so they still get at least 5-6 hours of free range time but not all day. This was he only way I could get them to lay where I want them to. Now they are used to the new routine we are developing they are content with their new run & Free range time.

I have a small patch of thin woods right behind my coop and they love it in there so I'm pretty sure that is where my girls would end up laying.

 

[TheAmundsons]

We were having the same debate. We now let ours out when we get home at 5, and let them stay out until we go to bed. At 9pm on the dot, they all head to the coop to roost. Maybe try letting them out in little bursts!

 

[llombardo]

I made the choice not to free range due to predators. My chickens know nothing else then there 15x15 run and are happy. They have stuff to roost on, sandbox to dust bathe and even a chicken swing. I've thought about letting one out here and there, but not a day goes by that I don't see Hawks circling above, then I read the horror stories and stick to my original plan.