Every chicken keeper whose birds free range will agree that the best part of the day is the morning release.
Opening that gate or door to release your girls in to the garden or field is an wonderful event.
You know they are there waiting for you, waiting for their freedom.
Those excited cluckings as you approach, them talking to you and you talking to them. Makes a dreary morning worth it.
Watch this video for the moment the gate open and the gurglies come rushing out.
Well hello there…
It’s such a flurry that everyone’s a blur.
The straggler:
Straight to pecking and scratching:
This is the moment that a lot us look forward to the most. Your girls who work had to provide you and others eggs, getting spoilt.
Over the winter season, for nearly 3 months here in the UK our birds had to be locked up and under cover due to the avian flu threat. The normal quality of the golden yolks were affected and the birds were going stir crazy. The cost of feed almost doubled.
But on March 1st, that moment of the first release. Was such a heart warming and fulfilling moment.
Benifits of hens roaming:
- Contented birds, less disagreements between them. Reduces pecking at one another
- Exercise and exploration
- More for them to find to eat to raise their protein levels
- Free grit
- Lazy way to eliminate those weeds
- Brighter yolks
- Stronger shells
- Free fertiliser
- Reduces feed costs with the supplements they scratch up
- More sunlight
All of these elements equals:
Fluffy butts of happiness.
Progress to the Simple Life 