Thursday, September 10, 2009

Free-Ranging Again


You may remember after the tragedy this spring, that I was never going to let my chickens free-range again. Well, never say never! Lately I have been spending so much on feed, and we have lots of land for the chickens to roam and peck, so I changed my mind.


At first, they were timid and didn't go far from the coop, but now they are all over the place. I think they are much happier when they can free-range and I love seeing them all over the yard. It makes me so happy to look out the window and see them.


The 5 chicks that were hatched in February are big now! All the pictures on this post are of those chicks. They were a mix of some of our chickens. There were 2 roosters out of that hatch. They are kinda funky looking! One is part top-hatter and part something else. The other is a buff orpington mix that kinda looks like he has a beard.


My favorite of the ones from that hatch is the hen below. I call her Big Red. She's much bigger than both of the roosters above. She is also feather footed, so she is part partridge cochin and probably part buff orpington. I think she's gorgeous!


13 comments:

KathyB. said...

Have you trained your chickens to pen themselves up before nightfall? That is when they are most likely to become a hungry predators' meal. It is easy to train them to pen themselves up...

Anonymous said...

They are beautiful Nancy. Email Kathy and let her give you some helpful tips to keep them safe at nightfall. Best wishes.

Twisted Fencepost said...

It is hard to turn them loose since they are easy prey. But so cute strutting aroung the yard.

Paula said...

Oh, they're such beautiful girls, Nancy!
I know exactly what you mean- I'm on edge the whole time mine are out, because we have so many red-tailed hawks that fly over... but nothing makes me happier than to see my girls outside scratching around! (Unless they're in my flowers! LOL)

Alicia said...

Very cool photos. No chickens for us here in NM. Love the colors! :)

Anonymous said...

They had chickens at my local CSA this summer - I loved watching them walk around - they do make a lot of noise though!

Mandie said...

I love your chickens!! They are sooo precious. I don't let mine out all of the time either. We live in town and had a dog dig under our fence and get one of them. She survived but we were all traumatized!

Nancy said...

Oh! They got so big!!

I hope they stay safe

Shannon said...

So cute. We let ours roam during the day and pen them up at night. They walk right in, and all lay an egg in the coop. It is so funny to watch.

nannykim said...

They are all beautiful! now I am wondering what happened last time you let them free! Guess I need to check the link.........

Henrietta said...

Yay! Another chicken lady :) Your babies are so pretty! I wish I could let mine free range, our yard borders our landlord's and the chickens continuously try to run over there, lol. We occasionally let them out in the evening when I know they won't stray far and will put themselves away before dark.
So sorry about your loss earlier! I lost my favorite Americauna to a raccoon this spring :(

The Mommy-Files said...

Wow! I love your chickens! They're gorgeous! :)

Jennifer Bogart said...

Very lovely hens! Thanks for sharing your photos.