4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[bantamcock]

We're brand new to this and only got our three friendly young ladies on Friday. I expect what follows is a yawn-inducing question for the old hands. I see the advice is that they have to stay in the run for 5 days. I'm sorely tempted to let them have a trot round the garden after spending most of yesterday erecting chicken wire fencing to protect my veg patch. The area they're in is getting pretty manky and I could do with getting them out so we can clean up a bit. Do we really have to wait precisely that long?? Any advice welcome.

[Tessa the Duchess]

Welcome to the forum. I know the advice is to keep them in the run for 5 days, but I just couldn't wait that long and let mine out after 2 days they were fine I would say go for it, just keep a close eye on what they are up to.....have fun

 

Tessa

[Egluntyne]

The idea is to "imprint" the knowledge of where home is into them.

 

As long as you supervise and can catch them or steer them back into the run they should be OK. Is is a nice day after all. Seems a shame to waste it.

Edited May 18, 2008 by Guest

[Abbey Road Girl]

Before I would let them out this soon (though I agree with Egluntine about the nice day), I would consider the circumstances.

 

I didn't let mine out for over a week, simply because I was on my own and wouldn't have known how to cope with a mass breakout. If you are letting them out early they are not as likely to recognise that they belong in the coop.

 

Be sure that you have enough help whenever you let them out the first time. It takes a while for them to even understand "outside" and "inside" the run.

[Hen Watch]

I managed to last 4 days then that was it.

[..lay a little egg for me]

Before I would let them out this soon (though I agree with Egluntine about the nice day), I would consider the circumstances.

 

I didn't let mine out for over a week, simply because I was on my own and wouldn't have known how to cope with a mass breakout. If you are letting them out early they are not as likely to recognise that they belong in the coop.

 

Be sure that you have enough help whenever you let them out the first time. It takes a while for them to even understand "outside" and "inside" the run.

 

We kept ours in for a week and they just stayed really close to the coop when let out. They had trouble finding the way back in though. Had to walk around the coop several times before spotting the door! Over the next few days they got the hang of it and now wander far and wide, but seem to like to be near the coop when resting. It is definitely 'home' for them, even though we move it every few days (only a few feet so as to spread the wear and tear, and only when they are inside).

[Tara.F]

I would say let them out in the afternoon (they will want to go home at roosting time) and only once you've identified their favourite treat to lure them back in with

greedy things, chickens

[WitchHazel]

Why not start by fencing off a small area (just a few metres) right outside the run door? Let them out in the late afternoon, and then you will be able to see if they can find their way home at dusk.

 

If they do, then you can just extend the area gradually over the bnext few days.

[frenchlayer]

How exciting. 5 days seems like an age. I only managed two days with my three (now into our third week)

 

I found they were really eager to get out, but once out were happy to just potter around the coop, not going far at all. They also didn't run away but crouched when I approached them making it really easy to pick them up and put them nearer the coop when they strayed too far.

 

Mind you having three is sometimes like herding cats. You get one back and then have to shut the door quick and get the others. I found if you picked one up and had something nice for the others the two sometimes followed, allowing them a little peck at it on the way to encourage them to keep following.

 

Good luck

[Abbey Road Girl]

To follow on from Frenchlayer, I try to wait until they are close together in the "garden" (weed patch) and then bang on their treat bowl with the rod that secures the run. As one, they all head for the run, not wanting to be left out of the big treat grab they know is to come.

 

It's fun when they are all gathered round your ankles!

[Tina C]

You may find that they won't stray very far from the run at first so if you feel confident that you can get them back in if you need to (ie with corn or grapes) it won't harm to let them out for a little while.

 

I bet you already have haven't you????

[Chickvic]

We only managed 2 days When we want them to go back in, we make the treat noise (clicking). They learnt very quickly when you make that noise that they get something very nice. I usually bung a few raisins in the run and they all dive after them!