gemmcd Posted November 1, 2008 Share Posted November 1, 2008 Hi - tomorrow will be day 5 since we got our 3 gorgeous girls and so they will be allowed out! I am terrified though! We are getting them out alot for cuddles and the ginger nut rangers are so tame and cuddly, pepperpot is slightly more reserved and doesn't run to us like the other two and seems to resist cuddles more but I am perservering and we had a nice cuddle this morning! They have not been out to free range yet and I am worried that as we have a huge garden with thick bushes all around I may lose them! Especially as we have a resident fox so when I go in they have to go home too. Will they head for the bushes - how do I get them out and quick if I am in a hurry...I know it may be obvious when I do it but I am scared to do so! Should I do one at a time to see where they go? Thanks! Gx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted November 1, 2008 Share Posted November 1, 2008 Have you identified one foodstuff they really love? Mine will come running the minute they see I have dried mealworms or mixed corn. I sprinkle some in the doorway of the run and they go in no problem. Before I discovered that, I found a long handled broom very useful for shepherding purposes! Good luck with the freeranging - it's great to watch them get their freedom . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted November 1, 2008 Share Posted November 1, 2008 They don't generally run in all directions when you let them out for the first time, atleast mine didn't. They may not venture far from the run at first untill they gain confidence and get to know your garden. To get them in you can use a treat bowl, use the same bowl all the time for their treats so that when they see it they come running, you pop it inside the run and they follow. (That's the theory anyway. ) I use a bright red one. You'll probably find they'll have a little scratch a round today and go in of their own accord after a while! Good luck, you'll love watching them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted November 1, 2008 Share Posted November 1, 2008 Why not let them out today about an hour before bedtime? You will find they won't wander too far as the run is their home and considered safe. Have fun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuckoos Nest Posted November 1, 2008 Share Posted November 1, 2008 We let ours out in the garden for the first time yesterday , they were keen to come out, but stayed around the pen area for the first half hour. Then they went exploring and two made a dust-bath in our old veg patch and looked to be enjoying it. The thought of letting them out was much worse than the actual event, they all came in at the sight of a handfull of corn Great fun to watch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jill the potter Posted November 1, 2008 Share Posted November 1, 2008 Hi - I agree the first time you let them out it's a bit nerve racking, but you'll be fine. I agree with the comments about the treat bowl/dish - it doesn't take them long to identify it with something nice. My girls absolutely love grapes, cherry tomatoes and sweetcorn!!! Once they associate you with treats they wont stay in the bushes for long!! My girls only need to hear the back door handle go and they come running - they look so comical. Also, they do instinctively go back to their eglu about 10/15 mins before dusk. It's amazing how they know - you can set your watch by them - it just gets earlier by about 5 mins each day, at the moment up in Manchester they're in bed by 4.30!!!! and don't come out till first light!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted November 1, 2008 Share Posted November 1, 2008 yes nerve racking 1st time.... how times change? recogniose a treat bowl... huh! recognise the back door opening, hubby comminy sandwich in hand, lid of the biscuit tin....AND the sound of knife & fork on our plates Do enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gemmcd Posted November 1, 2008 Author Share Posted November 1, 2008 Thanks! will give it a go tomorrow - have discovered they love mealworms so will have a bowl at the ready! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisP Posted November 1, 2008 Share Posted November 1, 2008 I remember the first time I let my girls free range, and then cleaned the eglu and moved it, and they couldn't find it, even tho it was a great big orange thing!!!!! But they loved it, and tended to stay near me for the first few days! Have fun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jill the potter Posted November 2, 2008 Share Posted November 2, 2008 Hi, How did you get on with letting out your girls today? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gemmcd Posted November 3, 2008 Author Share Posted November 3, 2008 Hi! Well I let them all out on Sunday and it was fab! Tess our more reserved did not want to come out but Dory and Gabriella our very friendly and tame were out like a shot - they did tend to stay around the and run and even jumped on top of it much to my children's amusement! Tess watched them nervously and kept pacing up and down like she was plucking up the courage to come out and eventually she did but didn't stay out for long! All 3 of them kept wandering back in and out for reassurance, Dory our most friendly was quite open to cuddles and when I got out our silver treat bowl was over in a shot! Noone ventured near the bushes and so I felt very relaxed and wrent about cleaning the eglu. It was a constant drizzle but I loved being out there with them. They were out for about an hour yesterday and I have already been out and had them out for an hour today. They were slightly more confident today even Tess came out quite quickly but all 3 stayed around their and run again. I just love this so much - I know you all agree but having these chooks for nearly a week now has been the best thing ever. I love them so much! Gx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 So glad it went well. The good thing about chickens being so nosey is that they will always prefer to see what you are up to than to wander off. I bet you and your kids had a great day. I have never seen so much of my garden in all weathers since I got my girls, they truly can change your life in a week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollystar Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 We have moved our chooks to the field so no fence, has any of you had chickens wander off??? The fields go for miles They where fine in the garden but made one hell of a mess Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jill the potter Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Pleased everything went well for you - they are so much fun aren't they? My gingernut is far more confident than the Mrs P. Think it might just be the different breeds. She's slowly coming round and - after two months - is taking food from my hand! Will you be able to let them out every day? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gemmcd Posted November 4, 2008 Author Share Posted November 4, 2008 yes - unless we are away which is not very often! I am a childminder so am home alot and my mindees love them. We have just been out for about 40 mins in the constant drizzle and let them have a good roam around. Yesterday I had them out for about 2 hours in total - an hour in morning and hour afternoon. My motto is if anyone is on gerden the chickens are out. So far they have all been very easy to put back when needed. The 2 stay by us and are easy to pick up - don't resist at all and the will just run back to the run if she thinks you are going to try and pick her up! Though have just had a cuddle - she is definately beginning to trust me more but compared to is the most reserved and cautious. Have just made them some weetabix and they seemed to love that and have some left over pasta to give them this afternoon. I would have stayed out longer this morning but my mindees were getting wet! Gx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
