We have been keeping our layers and meat birds in a chicken tractor, but we're going to move the layers into their permanent housing soon... do we need to keep them confined to the coop for a while before we let them out into their yard? We aren't planning to free range, but we have yard space that we can rotate around the coop. The pullets are 5-6 weeks old. Thank you.
I'd keep them locked in the coop for about a week. The idea is that they get used to sleeping in the coop. Otherwise, they may wind up trying to sleep outside. Also, they get used to the idea that the coop is "home" and will be more likely to lay there when they start laying.
