Chickens on the Loose

Last week, I glanced out the window and was surprised to see chickens in the yard.  I definitely want our chickens to free-range eventually, but having never raised chickens before, I have been going "by the book" which says to wait until they are around 6 months old.  Well, apparently, the door of their run fell open and they decided now was as good a time as any to try out free-ranging.  I will be happier to let them roam once they establish good egg-laying, but it was awfully sweet to see chickens running about our yard.  Finn, of course, was thrilled, particularly when I locked up Remi (our rooster, who is now a little protective over his flock) and let him range with the hens a bit.

 Finn loves to "cuddle" the chickens:

 Josette likes to feed them grass:

 I thought this was a good picture of the beard that is a diagnostic character of the ameraucana breed.

 More hugs for the chickens:

 Later in the day, with Remi out, they scoped out one of the wood piles probably rich with bugs:

 They scouted all over the gardens and made their way down into our neighbor's gardens:

As they roamed further and further away, I have to admit I was nervous about them coming back.  I feared they would make their way into the woods behind our neighbor's house and join a band of wild turkeys or something, but lo and behold, come dusk, they were all back and roosting in their coop.  Good chickens!