To Free Range or Not To Free Range

[M_Kelley]

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

 

[Peppercorngal]

Do you have high roosts in your coop? If not that can be the reason they roosted in a tree. They will roost where they feel safe and usually the higher the better. Maybe you need to put some nice high roosts in the coop? Also they should know that "home" is the place to lay. They will also lay where they feel comfortable and safe. Both of my flocks knew to lay in the nesting boxes and I never used fake eggs, ever! I did, however, put up a fence to keep their free range area "safe" from coyotes running in and grabbing a chicken and running off. A problem we had. They have an area of approximately 50 feet by 50 feet to free range in. So far the chickens are happy with that, they can fly over the 5 foot fence, but they do not. Now, wild dogs and coyotes cannot bother them, I feel comfortable with them free ranging, they are happy and they always lay in the coop! When I put them "to bed" and lock them up for the night I fill the water and food dishes and don't let them free range until 1pm or 2pm the next day. Morning is laying time so I keep them "locked up" until after that. Good luck with your flock!

 

[HuskerHens18]

I free ranged for six years with minimal problems, but this year a pack of coyotes moved in and forced me to pen up my chickens.

My chickens almost always laid eggs in the nesting boxes, if they were too full or occupied then they'd go find a new place to nest.
In my honest opinion, my chickens were happier free ranging. Now that they're in a run, they just pace back and forth and aren't cheery and happy like they used to be.

I liked free ranging because they always ate the bugs in my yard. It had been 90% bug free for years.
I didn't free range until they began laying eggs, I wanted to make sure they were mature before releasing them into the world.
Now there are a lot of predator risks, that's the biggest problem you'll face. If you can get your chickens in the coop before dark, you should be pretty safe.

The coyotes here learned my patterns and came hunting during broad daylight. That was the last straw, where I finally penned up my poor babies.

Overall I love free ranging and hope to do it again someday.

 

[ashlierami]

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

Free range is risky. I take that risk daily since mine are free range completely. I trained mine since they were chicks where to roost so that's never an issue. I have nest spaces but sometimes I don't always get eggs there and I find there elsewhere. If you have older hens that would be an example for the younger ones they would probably follow and learn where there nest area is. The roosting issue is something you will need to train before they get to used to the new spot they chose. Every night you will need to put there where they are supposed to go and after several nights they should get the hang of it. Predators are also an issue I've had chickens go missing and I've had several failed hawk attacks. I've had injuries and deaths by dogs, racoon ,and eagle. It's up to you if you want the to free range. I prefer it because they won't be happy in a pen they like to forage and Adventure. Even in a pen they are at risk for hawks if it's not covered. I think either way having chickens is just a risk we take because there's always a threat of something. If you are going to free range I'd recommend training them to a certain call. This will allow you to find them easy since they will come to you. I have mine trained to a call and I always know when someone is missing Because they don't come and I have to go find them.

 

[Peppercorngal]

I free ranged for six years with minimal problems, but this year a pack of coyotes moved in and forced me to pen up my chickens.

My chickens almost always laid eggs in the nesting boxes, if they were too full or occupied then they'd go find a new place to nest.
In my honest opinion, my chickens were happier free ranging. Now that they're in a run, they just pace back and forth and aren't cheery and happy like they used to be.

I liked free ranging because they always ate the bugs in my yard. It had been 90% bug free for years.
I didn't free range until they began laying eggs, I wanted to make sure they were mature before releasing them into the world.
Now there are a lot of predator risks, that's the biggest problem you'll face. If you can get your chickens in the coop before dark, you should be pretty safe.

The coyotes here learned my patterns and came hunting during broad daylight. That was the last straw, where I finally penned up my poor babies.

Overall I love free ranging and hope to do it again someday.

I can certainly relate to the coyote problems during the day. We had coyotes that would run quickly from the trees, grab a chicken and run away. We also had wild dogs that would do the same thing on occasion. I (as I explained before) put a nice 5 foot farm fence in a 50 x 50 foot area. We haven't lost any chickens since the fence went up. It's still quite a bit of free range area for the chickens. You should try this, it works! You will have much happier chickens again.

 

[M_Kelley]

Do you have high roosts in your coop? If not that can be the reason they roosted in a tree. They will roost where they feel safe and usually the higher the better. Maybe you need to put some nice high roosts in the coop? Also they should know that "home" is the place to lay. They will also lay where they feel comfortable and safe. Both of my flocks knew to lay in the nesting boxes and I never used fake eggs, ever! I did, however, put up a fence to keep their free range area "safe" from coyotes running in and grabbing a chicken and running off. A problem we had. They have an area of approximately 50 feet by 50 feet to free range in. So far the chickens are happy with that, they can fly over the 5 foot fence, but they do not. Now, wild dogs and coyotes cannot bother them, I feel comfortable with them free ranging, they are happy and they always lay in the coop! When I put them "to bed" and lock them up for the night I fill the water and food dishes and don't let them free range until 1pm or 2pm the next day. Morning is laying time so I keep them "locked up" until after that. Good luck with your flock!

Thank you for taking the time to read and reply to my post. I think the roosts not being high enough has a lot to do with it. Did you let your chickens free range before they started laying?

 

[M_Kelley]

Free range is risky. I take that risk daily since mine are free range completely. I trained mine since they were chicks where to roost so that's never an issue. I have nest spaces but sometimes I don't always get eggs there and I find there elsewhere. If you have older hens that would be an example for the younger ones they would probably follow and learn where there nest area is. The roosting issue is something you will need to train before they get to used to the new spot they chose. Every night you will need to put there where they are supposed to go and after several nights they should get the hang of it. Predators are also an issue I've had chickens go missing and I've had several failed hawk attacks. I've had injuries and deaths by dogs, racoon ,and eagle. It's up to you if you want the to free range. I prefer it because they won't be happy in a pen they like to forage and Adventure. Even in a pen they are at risk for hawks if it's not covered. I think either way having chickens is just a risk we take because there's always a threat of something. If you are going to free range I'd recommend training them to a certain call. This will allow you to find them easy since they will come to you. I have mine trained to a call and I always know when someone is missing Because they don't come and I have to go find them.

Thanks for taking the time to read and respond to my post! In your opinion does it matter if they roost in the hen house or in the run? I bought two Buff Orpington hens Saturday before last and one of them layed an egg the same night that I brought them home but I haven't had an egg since then. She layed it in the middle of the hen house but I figured that was because it was dark and it was a new place....maybe my coop just isn't set up well? It isn't quit as "fancy" as a lot of the ones I have seen online lol.

 

[M_Kelley]

I free ranged for six years with minimal problems, but this year a pack of coyotes moved in and forced me to pen up my chickens.

My chickens almost always laid eggs in the nesting boxes, if they were too full or occupied then they'd go find a new place to nest.
In my honest opinion, my chickens were happier free ranging. Now that they're in a run, they just pace back and forth and aren't cheery and happy like they used to be.

I liked free ranging because they always ate the bugs in my yard. It had been 90% bug free for years.
I didn't free range until they began laying eggs, I wanted to make sure they were mature before releasing them into the world.
Now there are a lot of predator risks, that's the biggest problem you'll face. If you can get your chickens in the coop before dark, you should be pretty safe.

The coyotes here learned my patterns and came hunting during broad daylight. That was the last straw, where I finally penned up my poor babies.

Overall I love free ranging and hope to do it again someday.

Thanks for reading and replying to my post!....im sorry to hear about your coyote problem and I hope your "chick chicks" (as my 2yr old calls them) can start free ranging again soon. I haven't had any issues with predators yet. I haven't had chickens very long though. This is my first go round with them so I'm sure it is only a matter of time. I might keep them in the coop until they start laying...definitly something for me to think about.

 

[ashlierami]

Thanks for taking the time to read and respond to my post! In your opinion does it matter if they roost in the hen house or in the run? I bought two Buff Orpington hens Saturday before last and one of them layed an egg the same night that I brought them home but I haven't had an egg since then. She layed it in the middle of the hen house but I figured that was because it was dark and it was a new place....maybe my coop just isn't set up well? It isn't quit as "fancy" as a lot of the ones I have seen online lol.

Your welcome I try to help my fellow byc peeps as much as possible! If the roost in the run will that shelter them if it storms in the night? Will you be okay with them sleeping there come winter and colder weather? I know some birds roost in trees and there's no cover from rain but me personally I like mine to be dry and comfortable at night. I also want them to have shelter from the cold come winter when the wind is chilling. Also they need to roost where it's predator safe. Racoons, opposums, all those nocturnal animals come out and could strike. My set up is no way fancy lol they don't care! They just need shelter and a safe place to lay eggs. If you have a nest area you want them to use make sure they can find it easy. Also try playing golf balls or fake eggs there until they get use to it. Maybe some oyster shells are needed for that calcium boost. I would provide that freely to your girls. Sometimes my hens lay eggs in the coop at night while they sleep. I think it's just when they had the urge to let it out! Free range is great for them but it has it's cons as does keeping them in a pen all day.

 

[keesmom]

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

What are the dimensions of your coop? Are you in a hot climate?