[melodrama]

After many months of pondering and reading and checking and looking and talking and wondering some more and checking again I have finally purchased my first lot of chicks.  1 x Scots Grey, 3 x Marsh Daisy and 2 Araucanas.  All 10 weeks old and they are gorgeous and friendly and wonderful.  I am so happy with them.  We have ordered more Scots Grey's they are so lovely.  Realised when we got them home how small their home is though so we are going to build a bigger home for them this week.  Can anyone tell me how long I should wait to let them out to forage and free range a bit?  I assume from my readings that they will come back at night?  Thanks for5 any replies. 
A very happy lady  x  x

[melodrama]

I forgot to ask - When the hens go into their bed at night should I be putting water in there with them and closing them in so they feel safe and have drinking water or do they just go without until the next morning?  Worried about them now ha ha

[jameslindsay]

I never put water in overnight for them.

[Buffy the eggs layer]

Hi,

  once they go to bed they will sleep and any water left for the morning would probably end up being poohed in or kicked over. They should manage without it unless their coop is very hot and you leave them locked in till very late.

In terms of letting them out most books recomend keeping them in for a week. Personally I keep them in about 36 hours and once they know where their home is and they have taken themselves to bed on their own then I let them range.

The best time to let them out for the first time is about an our before bed time. This will mean that they wont stray too far though the excitement of the great out doors may result in a slightly later bedtime but they will go eventually.

You could do this once or every evening for a week until you feel confident with them. Calling them and giving them treats when they come to you will also help you and them to build up trust in each other.

Good luck with them

Buffy

[Sandy]

Chickens are easy to look after once they get into a routine as they go off to beds themselves but you have to watch out for trees as they naturly will rost anywhere high up, although they may well be safe in a tree. I think mine went off to thier bed fairly soon after getting them, I just went around picking the ones up that went elsewhere as when the light fades you can pick them up easily and pop them back home and shut them in. They do not need water in their hut and they chat for a while before they go off to sleep, its funny to hear them as they definatly have different sounds and tones to thier clucks!!!!!! A few evenings of watching where they gather then coaxing them into thier pen will pay off as they will learn!!!!! Maybe a week is enough!!

[Sandy]

Forgot that  you can coax them home with a small feed!!!

[manian]

hi
chickens are big time wasters..... love to see them scratch around and chase each other when one catches a slug/worm.....
we kept ours in for 2 nights and then  let them out. They were encouraged home with corn and they soon know where to go wheres safe.....
we used to keep food and water in as felt bad not giving access to it overnight (even though they are let out at dawn) Now I don't bother and they are not worried......
One hint ..... they will not go to be until dusk....... and will go themselves, we then lock the shed they are in till dawn
Mx

[melodrama]

Thanks to everyone for your help.  They have been going to bed by themselves and are very friendly when I go over.  I've made a point of going to talk to them regularly so they know my voice and presence.  They are so cute and I am very happy with them.  Thanks for advice re water, ours are let out very early in the morning so they have been fine. 
Melanie x

[princesspiggy]

once they know where home is, they should be alright by 10 weeks, just watch for cats etc. thats what got our 10 weeks Scots greys last year.

[jippers87]

Congrats on your new additions! We brought home more chickens last week too

We kept our newbies locked in their house with the old ones for two full days and nights before we let them out. We left their feeders and drinkers inside so they went in and out for drink etc and learned where home is very quickly. We often find the hens sitting in the door way of the house!

We keep food and water in there 24/7. I'd put water in a drinker for them at night. Don't put it right next to their roosts and it shouldn't get too dirty. Either way, I wouldn't leave them without water, I think it's best to let them decide whether they want it or not!

Another reason we leave feed and water in all the time is because the two youngsters stayed inside for more hours of the day.

Best of luck with the 's