We’ve finally let the chickens out to free range. What unfolded was not quite what we had in mind. So this is how it happened.
We finished fencing the coop. After some consideration, we thought the turkeys might benefit from the space more than the chickens. It was more pressing for us to get them out of the barn. The strong smell of ammonia in their pen was getting way too strong. Some turkeys even seem to have developed a slight nose bleed!
The turkeys were quickly moved to the coop. It took showing them how to go up and down the ramp a few times before they figured it out but all seems good with them. We added a perch, bedding and food. We don’t have a door to the actually coop yet, but as long as the weather stays this beautiful, they should be fine.
Enjoy their first taste of sunshine and grass 
Very curious these birds!
As for the chickens, well that’s another story! We were four trying to catch them in their pen to bring them outside. Of course they had no idea what to expect so they were panicked. Once outside, never having felt grass under their feet, or sun on their heads, they were all stunned and pretty funny looking! Most just squatted for a while. We then had to try to get them out of direct sun, as they didn’t seem to understand what free range meant. We put them in the shade, but then they wouldn’t explore. Just lay there. So it was a weird thing to see. A bunch of immobile chickens. By the end of the day, some had started wondering around and pecking at the ground.
Dusk brought the challenge of rallying them back into the barn. Face planting by Katie was part of the evening! Chasing chickens is not easy!
The next day, we carried them back out and they seemed a bit better at the whole being free thing. I’m glad they decided to hang out in front of the barn instead of the pasture next to the coop, which was what I originally thought they should do. Turns out, they will be safer if they stick closer to the barn. There’s lots of shade, grit and easy access to the barn. So a second evening of chasing chickens to put them away ensued.
This morning, I do barn check, open up their stall, trying to herd them to the door to go out. They won’t! And I just didn’t feel like carrying them out again, one by one. So it’s been a few hours and they still haven’t come out. At this point, I figure they need to learn this on their own. It would be nice to open their stall, have them go outside and come back at night. So, today, we are leaving them to their own devices. Let’s see if they wander out on their own.
As for the garden, we’ve been able to eat salad everyday! Kale, Swiss Chard, lettuce, herbs, have all flourished enough to supply us with lots of greens. This make me very happy.
Tender bounty 
So tasty!
Yesterday was one of the best days ever! We cut down a dead tree. Babysat chickens and turkeys, played badminton, ate good food and spent the day enjoying the weather and each other. Can’t think of a better way to enjoy my time.
Unruffled Farms 