Do pullets need to stay in coop for first few days?

[KnARanch]

We got our three pullets, now approaching 16 weeks, when they were 7 1/2 weeks old, so we didn’t hatch them and they didn’t imprint on us. Although they follow me around, etc., they still act as if I am wearing a hockey mask and carrying a chain saw when I try to touch one.

So this afternoon, Hubs was leaning over their yard-ranging fence and dropped his phone on the Easter egger. She promptly flew out into an unfenced area that thankfully was still within our overall fenced backyard.

A jolly chase ensued.

I couldn’t get near her, but I was able to “encourage” her back to their run.

It would have been pretty awful if she hadn’t known where the run was, including the very real possibility of her flying over the backyard fence into our busy side street.

We didn’t enclose them in their coop when we first got them, but that’s because they were in a large and secure run. In your situation, yes, keep them in their coop at first. They’ll enjoy checking it out.

Oh my! I'm happy you were able to capture her! We have decided to wait until *everything* is ready!