My chickens schedule depends on my schedule. If I am off, then all day if I will be nearby to hear any cries for help. If I am not...then they usually just get a few hours in the evening. If the weather is bad, I open the coop door but not the run - that way they have their pick of singing in the rain or in the coop, but can't get too far and thus not stuck somewhere if the weather turns too terrible. Over protective - yes. So far no losses due to the hawks I often see around here - priceless!
