Omlet Smart Autodoor - New in box

[Bramble]

I've had my ex-batts just over a week now and they seem well settled and much less nervous than they were. I'm thinking the time has come to let them out of their run, but will I ever be able to get them back again? Any tips on free-ranging for the first time, please (I can only let them FR when I'm there to supervise - I don't trust Mr Fox not to come calling!) Thanks

[coco]

I let my ex batts out of the run for the first time about half an hour before they were due to go to bed. Lily used to look a bit confused but always went back in the run and would wait for me to put her to bed. shes fine now though.

[Mercedes55]

I have ex batts too and have had them for just over 3wks. The first time they free ranged they were quite nervous and it was easy to get them back into their run. Now however they are much more confident and love to explore everywhere. I tend to let them out every day around 4pm so that when my other half gets home from work he can help me get them back in the run. Usually I just shake their tub of mealworms near the run and that works for 3 of them, but for 1 of them, well she tends to be a lot more reluctant and by the time we get her near the run it's hard to get her in because as soon as we start to open the door the other 3 are desperate to get out again, so we often end up chasing her around the garden

[Olly]

I don't have ex-batts, but I think for any chickens it is worth getting them used to a 'treats' signal BEFORE you let them out. So e.g. approach the run with a particular call, or a brightly-coloured dish, or whatever it is you plan to use - sprinkle or throw in the treats, whatever they are, into the run while the chooks are in there, and do this on a few separate days. Then when you do let them out, with luck the call, or the dish, will act to get them running towards you and make it easy to get them back into the run.

[Bertrum]

What Olly said.

 

We got them used to the sight of the meal worm tub while they were confined to the run. Once we were happy that they would do ANYTHING for a meal worm, we let them out. A handful of worms in the run when we want them to go back in and the job is done.

Now we find that they tend to go back in of their own accord long before we are ready to 'put them away'.

[Bramble]

Thank you everyone! I haven't tried them with mealworms yet, but a tin of sweetcorn sends my three into complete idiot mode, they go absolutely potty for it, so I'll do a bit more training with them, then try to be brave ... !

[Bertrum]

Good luck Bramble!

A free-ranging hen is the best fun I've had in my garden, ever.

[Bexibex]

Hi

 

I have had had my four ex-bats for just over a week now and I let free-range after four days. I wasn't planning on letting them out so soon but they are mercilessly bullying the most feather bare girl and so to give her some respite I let them all out. They were quite nervous on their outing but they absolutely love it now. On an evening getting them in is no problem as they take themselves off to bed by 9.30pm but during the day, I throw some mealworms in to their run which sends them loopy. I have just herded them in as well and that works but the more comfortable they get around us, the harder that is as they just think they are getting food or strokes!

[johnandkymberley]

Hi, do they lay or go to bed in the eglu? if so id say they are ready! mine went out after 1 day and came back and my Willow and Lily (which had lived in another coop previously, not an eglu tho) on there 1st day went in the cube and laid two lovely white eggs, they didnt go out the run at first even tho the door was opened they kept near it and they have always known when and where to go to bed. They make your garden come alive and when they arent out the garden doesnt look complete, good luck and the hens will love it! xxx

[Bexibex]

He he, the hens will love and the garden and will destroy it! I thought our garden was hen proof as their run is on hardwood and the rest of the garden is laid to pebbles. How wrong was I? They have every corner of weed membrane and pulled it back to reveal the soil beneath - the garden is not so pretty as it once was! They are so happy though and I wouldn't begrudge them a thing after the hard life they have led so far!