Heres how i work it out. I have 16 now (today ) 14 week old "tickens" that come out on the weekend when i am home. I let them out 3 or 4 hours if i have that much time out while i am out there to watch them. They don't go out of eye site of the coop, if i need to get them in i use bread/cheese. I do have one BR that knows this and i have to play "round n round" until i catch that lil booger!! But for the most part at 8 they are hopping back into the coop to roost. I stay out the whole time and watch them though.. no problems yet. If they get scared they run into /coop/run/under coop. I also have a dog that i am training (she wears a muzzle when they are out and hate it lol ) oh and i painted a sign to put in the driveway that lets the family know they are out so they wont let their dogs follow them. Hope this helps