To free range or not?

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After four weeks of captivity. I'd really like to let my girls out into the garden.

But, I'm scared that they will make an escape for freedom and I'll be left running around chasing them.

Anything I can do to minimise the stress of this (for me especially) would be great right now!

Shirley
 
Hello Shirley,
I say go for it. Like most animals hens are territorial, and love home, all they want is their food, roost and their mates.
I have let newcomers out on day two, and not had any problems, rattle meal worms or corn at them and watch them rush for it.
I talk to mine all the time.
In fact I have two POL brand new Croad Langshans, who are extremely bright and beautiful, and aim to let them out tomorrow or Sunday for a wander, just to get used to it, they are in a smallish hutch with run attached for the moment, and are very big hens, so need a bit of space.
I just watch them, talk to them and tell them what good girls they are, it seems to work!
 
Try to tempt them to where you want them to be with mixed corn or other treats. Don't attempt to catch them, just put some wire and/or wood around and guide (drive gently) them back to where you want them to be. If you are consistent, they will soon learn. They may well fly or try to after being shut up for a month but again, they should soon settle.
 
Hello Shirley, I was worried that I wouldn't be able to get mine back in their run the first time I let them out as well. They did have their wings clipped though, I have 6' fencing, but there is a dog next door who would kill them, so didn't have any choice. I needn't have worried though because after 4-5 hours in the garden I just shook a container with corn and they couldn't get back in quick enough!! Just give them plenty of time to wander around the garden before trying to get them back in again, they'll be fine. Also do it later in the day so they're wanting to go to bed anyway.
 
I was worried my 14 week old chicks would get themselves lost too, but I needn't have been. The first time I let them out was, as Sue suggests, right before bed so they didn't go far. Although they will be fine anyway, it might help give you a little more confidence if you do that, letting them out at the end of the day to explore a little. But training them to come to a rattling tin is very well advised! For those moments where you forgot you had to go out and you get all hot and bothered trying to round up your hens, I remember it well......
 
Yes, mine are all clucking indignantly when I go down to let them out, and if I just want to go in the run to clean up, it's really difficult because my youngest Leghorn pullet is a real escapologist and slips out through my legs when I open the door, however careful I am. Then when they're all out, its heads down for a good eat of the grass, but after an hour or two the Leghorn has flown out of the netted circle and has come to find me to say 'We're ready to go back in now, please.' She's only just laid her first 2 eggs so I can see she's going to be a force to be reckoned with. Mostly I leave them until lunchtime to let them eat their pellets and lay their eggs in peace, but the Leghorn seems to be laying in the afternoon at present so I have to let her get back in time to make it to the nestbox. Very complicated! However, the corn box always works wonders.
 
Do not worry to much chickens are exploring any new surrondings with grat caucions.I let them out for an H at times and never had any trouble to send them back to their run.I just herd them with bamboo stick and soon as I have one in my hand they know its time to go back and lining up nicely to get going.With a bit practise yours will be same:D If they feel unsecure they always haeding home:)
 
Deep breath

Okay guys, I'll go for this tomorrow.

My garden is surrounded by 6' fences but I know these girls can jump - big time! I swear, If I'm screaming around the neighbourhood with a butterfly net - I ain't gonna be pleased! :lol:

Keep your fingers crossed for me. I'm just a big scaredy cat really.

Shirley
 
When we want ours back in the run we give them mixed corn thrown in. They soon come running and even recognise the green scoop with the grain in and get into the run before I've thrown it.

Chasing them about is a bad move as they will fly all over the place in a panic. As Chuck says, be gentle. Don't use a net to catch them, they will hate you for it.
 
head in hands

I chickened out.

I just don't feel confident enough yet. I know, I know - feel free to point and laugh. :oops:

I am going to spend this week doing some positive re-enforcement at feeding time aka Pavlov's dog style so that they connect the sound with feeding. I routinely use it with hawks so I have no reason to doubt that it wouldn't work for these intelligent little ladies. I think I need the safety net of being able to get them back - especially that Ginger, she's a real Houdini that one!

So, no news until next weekend.

Embarrassingly yours........

Shirley

PS: I was kidding about the net.
 
Mine didn't need any training Shirley, they just seemed to know!
 
Anyone who can dare to fly a hawk free for the first time doesn't need to worry about her chickens! I think the longer you leave them in there, the more desperate they may be to get out. Just do it at about 3pm one day, open the door and scatter a little corn just round the entrance outside. Stand around for a bit with your corn box making stupid Chook Chook noises like I do, so they remember the way back in the first time. They will probably be quite cautious the first time out, actually, so if you can just do it gently and keep them near the door, the next time they will know the way. Late afternoon, they will be feeling leas adventurous anyway and will be quite keen to get back to their comfy coop in time for dusk. You will only have this problem with your first lot of hens because when you come to add more eventually, the older ones will know the ropes and will show the youngsters what to do. Just get them to associate going back in the run, and eventually following you round the garden, with the sound of the rattling box and whatever daft call you decide to use. (' Go Away! Or even less polite exclamations beginning with B, will work just as well as anything else)
 
Thanks for the support guys. I appreciate it. :)

I may fly hawks free Marigold but it's done under strict conditions and even if they're met - believe me, my heart is pumping each time I release one flying free. Luckily, I've never yet had one not return. That's what I need to do, set those same conditions. I know, I'm an organised person and need all sots of I's dotted and T's crossed and really, I should have thought of this from the start. If I had, I would be prepared by now.

I know I'm being an idiot and probably being over cautious.

I can't help it

But the training continues (so far, it's going well - good positive responses to sounds associated with feeding time)

Shirley
 
Let em out. They'll be fine. Just make sure there are no gaps in your hedge or fence because the girls will find them.
 
Oh ye of little faith!

The ladies had a wander about this evening with some success. Well, actually, a lot of success considering that none of them headed over the fence into the neighbours gardens!

They all seemed to have a fine time foraging around the garden, scraping and pecking for what they could find. They all came back with dirt covered beaks.

Apart from the dominant female (who stayed out till it got dark), they were all a little skittish but I suppose that's to be expected.

Does that make me a 'real' chicken keeper now? :lol:

Shirley
 
Great, well done everybody! Keep up wih rattling the corn box and they will soon follow you back into the run any time you want them to. Don't scatter any corn outside the run, though, or they'll stay out for ages trying to find every blessed grain!
 
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