They do free range. Most days they're out from 7am till about 7pm. I refuse to leave them out over night.
They can go in and out as they choose. Food and water stay in the coop 24/7
I'm so glad to see it's not just me! Started with 9 laying hens (2 RiR, 3BR,3BA), 1 rooster, then had to go buy 15 mixed reds, then another 40 reds, found a great deal on straight run of Black Australorps and added another 18. Then I had to try my hand at incubating, so as of today 103 birds...
Today is day 21 for me. I checked mine this morning around 6:30 and one of 30 was just starting to pip. Glad I have to work today, otherwise, I'd be glued to the incubator. Mine were wiggling a lot yesterday. Good Luck to you!