The Poultry Keeper

feathered fran · Joined: 06 May 2008 Posts: 46 Location: cleveland

we have had our new girls, chucky clucky and chester for 8 days now, they are very settled and happy in the run attached to their hen house, I can't wait to let them go free range in the garden but my husband thinks we should keep them in a bit longer (they are 18 weeks old) he is worried we wont be able to get them back in. We also have a few cats next door who are keen 'birders' our own cat is interested but a bit wary of them (she only has 3 legs bless her).

Any advice on when to let them free and how to get them back in would be much appreciated.

we are all addicted to watching them, we love them, we have had various visits from the children's friends all of who want to have a stroke of the girls.

thanks
Fran

NannyP · Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 9:30 pm Post subject:

They should be absolutely fine to free range now. However, to keep your husband happy. Let them out when you get in from work, or late afternoon. Get yourself some cracked corn, mixed corn or maize, and when you want the girls to go back, call them and throw them a small amount of the corn. Once you've got their attention, using the corn, make a trail back to the run, and there you go, no problem.

Most chickens will take themselves back to their coop at dusk, your's I am sure will do the same.

Oh and i wouldn't worry about the cats, and 18 week old chicken will make sure a nosey cat will only be interested once Very Happy

JustChickens · Joined: 24 Mar 2008 Posts: 787 Location: Sussex

My chickens used to attack our neighbours cat haha!

feathered fran · Joined: 06 May 2008 Posts: 46 Location: cleveland

I think I will let them out tomorrow evening but will stay close and observe any cat interest as one of them is a big hunter type! I would love to see him get a peck on the nose Very Happy

the girls are quite easy to tempt with mixed grain so will try that thanks
Fran

Kitsune · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 1186 Location: Manchester

if they decide they don't want to go back in the run when you want them to a couple of 3-4 ft sticks are good 'herders' and make the job a million times simpler, especially if there's two of you.

NannyP · Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 10:58 pm Post subject:

Oh yes, beat them soundly with the big sticks Laughing

Or, use them to make your arms look longer Wink

feathered fran · Joined: 06 May 2008 Posts: 46 Location: cleveland

Hi, just thought I would let you know that everything went very smoothly, the girls had a thoroughly 'good time' exploring and rooting about the garden, they went to bed without any problems (I was so proud)
they even chased our poor cat Laughing

thanks again for the advice (I'm sure I will be needing more)
Fran x