Electricbarbarella Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 They loved it, didnt leave them out for long as I wanted to stay out with them, they had about an hour, where a "Ooops, word censored!" to catch though as they dont really get the concept of treats yet. It was so nice to see hem running around the garden, the big girls were going mental and making the most noise I have ever heard chickens make. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 Good for them! We gave ours their first free range today too and they wouldn't come out! Poppy eventually stepped out for about 2 minutes, Daisy didn't even try and Lily stood in the doorway, but wouldn't venture out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 How lovely. Any pictures? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electricbarbarella Posted February 13, 2009 Author Share Posted February 13, 2009 I was too stressed to take pictures, i hadnt taken the camera out and I darent leave them for a second to get it, all the tom cats in the neighbourhood have become very interested, like when we first got the girls, they soon lost interst when they realised that chickens are harder than them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 How lovely! Softie that I am, I came over all unnecessary watching mine free range for the first time but they had a great time. Now the little monsters stand by the door and demand to be let out. I am so well trained Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackgold Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 Well done you. I learn something new everyday about my girls. 9 weeks today and only Jimina has missing feathers . The now look and act like real normal hens...love Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One_Box Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 My two ex-batts free ranged with my other three for the first time today (what is about Fridays?). After just two weeks they are feeding from my hand and doing all normal chicken things including eating treats (watching them eat grass was particularly satisfying). They also seem well able to look after themselves from the fisticuffs I observed. In fact I'm so pleased with their progress I'm going to move them in with the others in about a week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 aren't they amazing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 Well done EB - I opened my door today for the first time too but only Bubbles came out. She is still giving Omar a really hard time so Omar just used the time to scoff in peace and wouldn't come out at all. more tomorrow I think. But compared to a week ago they are already so different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bekibutton Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 I love it when they have their first taste of (proper) freedom, they're so timid and jump about three feet in the air at any noise! Has anyone noticed that they are a lot easier to catch once they put some fat and muscle on and bulk up a bit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackgold Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 I just wondered is there ever a case when hens never get on? There are some people i cant stand many non animal likers but could chooks be the same. love Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 We opened the run door again yesterday for about 20 minutes and they still didn't want to come out.......will try again today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackgold Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 Once they hace their first free range experience there is no stiopping them lol love Sue xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One_Box Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 More free ranging today. Every time they come out they seem to have more confidence - walked right up to Toby (one of our cats) who got into a right panic as none of the other chooks had ever done that to him - he just turned tail and ran same thing with Millie our beautiful blonde lab who was most interested in the close encounter. A bit more aggro with the Bonnie Maggie and Coco today, looks like the ex-batts are going to rule the roost Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackgold Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 Exbatts rule ok......lol sounds like they are becoming chickens.....love Sue xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One_Box Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 Oh Yes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEAN Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 Lovely to hear about the ex batts enjoying their freedom! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eggmayo Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 Hi, My ex-batts also had their first taste of freedom this weekend. Not sure they were too keen on it! Only one of them really came out of the run. She walked to the back of the eglu, pecked briefly in the flower bed and then tried to fly back into the run. She wouldn't come back out after her "big adventure", not even for mealworms. I guess it will take them some time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One_Box Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 They are all such characters and all so different - much like any other chicken really, looks like I've been "blessed" with a right pair of Rambos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 (edited) Well 9 days on and i can hardly believe the difference. Today I got home from work and let the biggies out into thegarden and opened the run for the ex-bats to come into the netted area. Out they strode, bold as brass, and have been pecking, scratching, flapping and nosing round the cube run ever since. When a plane went over Bubbles just stood and watched it. Am afraid to say I had a tear in my eye as I watched her cock her head to follow it And the pecking order seems sorted too as peace has, in the space of a day, broken out Oh and I had eggs from them both today too for the first time. Wonderful! Edited February 16, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackgold Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 Told you so.......lol. How brilliant and what a feeling of peace it gives you.. i know i cant think asbout my girls previous life because I fill up. I am a real softy when it comes to animals love Sue xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 Ours came out for about a minute....then went back in......then came back out, and kept doing it! They haven't ventured more than about 2ft away from the door yet - but we're getting there...gradually! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 Mine were like that too poachedegg - then suddenly today they decided to go for it. Most dramatic is the sudden stop in chasing/ general harassment of one by the other. They look so proud too..it's ace! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackgold Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 Nows the time to teach the recall........ Once mine got the message and could free range for England,they didnt want to come in.....The dogs wont herd them so the only thing that gets the chooks in unless it is going dark is treats and they have to be good. Dried meal worms work at the moment..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 (edited) Hm that coincides well with my training my dog to improve his recall - have made the most disgusting liver cake which he adores! won't try that with the chickens!!! Edited February 16, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
