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

[jimnpaula]

I don't know why - actually I do as I'm convinced they'll just fly away! Also I wouldn't want to let them free range unattended as I know next doors dog can get over the fence, and although we haven't seen the fox for a while......

 

Poor girls though - they know there's something beyond the end of the run.

 

P

[quickcluck]

It's always a bit nerve racking but i'd say let them out!!! You might find that you open the door and they stay where they are!

 

Are there wings clipped? That will stop them flying but they can still jump! So make sure there's nothing they can launch themselves on!

 

I would never leave my girls unattended, just in case.

 

To get them back in I shake the treat pot and they all come running!

 

Good luck!

[moochoo]

Wait until early evening for their first free range. Give them an hour before dusk and they'll not want to go far and they'll pop themselves to bed at dusk. It'll give you the confidence that they'll not scarper.

[Chickendoodle]

Have you considered getting some netting? The Omlet netting is good, although rather expensive. It has poles which you can move around so you do not have to keep it in one place permanently.

 

You could then give them whatever size enclosure you want - they will still be free ranging but it a more secure way. We let ours in the netted area when we are at home (even if we are in the house) but whenever we go out they are securely shut away in their runs.

 

Ours have the bottom quarter of the garden so they have a variety of things - grass, chippings, trees & shrubs, lots of dirt for bathing etc etc

[batcatz]

Hi, it should be fine. I let mine out for the first time recently.. not ex-batts though. I decided not to clip Dotty's wings and see what happened. She is quite tame so I wasn't too worried. I also let them out a little way at first behind a makeshift fenced off area then when I knew she wasn't skittish I let her out into the garden. The first time I did it about 5pm so I knew they would want to go back into the coop when it got dark. It worked really well.

 

I threw a handful of mealworms and corn on the grass and they went straight to it. Then they all stuck together, slowly walked around pecking everything, did a bit of digging. My cat joined them for a while, then Dotty jumped onto my arm as she thought I had food.

 

When I nipped into the kitchen Dotty followed me, but ended up in the bath. haha. I found a poo in there the next day.

 

A bit later I had some toast in the garden, but not for long as Dotty kept flying up and eventually knocked the toast on the floor then ran off with it. haha

 

When I wanted them to go back into the run I just threw another scoop of corn in there. They ran in.

 

Its lovely to watch them digging up the garden.

Amanda

[Egluntyne]

I supervised my ex batts for the first few free ranging sessions. They hadn't a clue as what was expected of them tbh, and hadn't enough in the way of wing feathers to flap of into the wide blue yonder.

 

It might be worth clipping their wings if they are reasonably well feathered, just in case they are strong enough to make an escape bid.

[cluckingmad]

Similar experience with my ex-batts tbh, wihtin a couple of weeks of arriving they associated me with food, and once we let them free range they didn't venture more than a couple of feet away from me at all times (awwwwww! So nice to feel loved!).. they quickly got mroe confidence mind and within a VERY short time were happily scratching around with the others as if they'd never even been near a cage

 

Plus it really does give yuor heart a lift when you see them wandering round the garden happily :

[tara]

Hi paula how did you get on letting your girls out for the first time or are you waiting a bit longer.How are they when we let ours out they were so interested in the grass and dirt they were not bothered about the fence.Plus they know were home is and l think there so content with there new life and very happy.You could always offer them there treats or throw corn in there run and see if they go in

[jimnpaula]

I opened up the run late evening during the week and only 2 came out, yesterday tried again during the afternoon and had 6 out. I do think I'm going to obtain some netting (sometime! when finances permit) as I feel the garden is a bit too long for them at the moment. Also the fox has hiding places down the end, and the fences get shorter further away from the house. But still, the girlies can have supervised free ranging for a while - but not much this week as the are being wormed.

 

P

[jimnpaula]

Finally got all of them to free range! Ok, so we had to chase Ruby out of the door to get her out but finally all my ex batts have had a go

 

P

[Redwing]

Glad its going well

 

Knowles Nets are good for cheap netting apparently

[jimnpaula]

Knowles Nets are good for cheap netting apparently

 

Have looked at their website but cannot see support poles

 

P

[sandyhas3chucks]

I kept mine in for almost a week then used some netting to extend.

That was the 1st 3 and over a year ago !!!!

Now I let em straight out next day!! Unless they are exceptional, they won't have the strength to fly or jump high, but I NEVER let mine out unsupervised, especially with a dog next door that can jump the fence..

Perhaps you could put sone inexpensive trellis up to make it higher?

Fully understand how nervous you feel though!