Well, I have wanted to get some chickens for meat for a will and I found a local farmer that has so e cornish chicks. I just was wondering if it o better to leave them in the coop or should I let the run free like my egg layers? I heard the get fatter and plumper if they are not free range. What if I let them out once a week? The whole purpose of raising our own chickens is to be healthier , so I do not want to add any thing to their diet that will harm my kids or give the chickens a life style that will make their meat less healthy fir the kids.