Best way to introduce hens to being free range?

[foureyeddragon]

I would like to introduce my chickens to being free range. The one hen was free range before she became my chicken, and doesn't have the best track record with returning to the coop at night. However, she has always stuck right around my house, and roosted in the same tree so was easy to find. The second hen has never been free range and is very skiddish in general. Any time I come near the enclosure she makes a bee-line for the coop and gets very stressed out if I am in the run or coop cleaning, feeding, etc.

I am hoping that they may balance each other out some. However, I have no idea about the best way to go about introducing them to being free range.

 

[devora]

So you have two birds?

In general, let them out about an hour (or less...I'm a real cautious type) before sunset. Do this a few days to ensure they return to the coop at dark.

Increase the time out as the days go on until they are freeeee to roam all day.

They will love you for it.