I have an EE and a cochin, I'm certain the cochin would stay close if allowed to free range as she's quite lazy and spends most of her day laying in the shade. The EE on the other hand is an active crazy bird, although she always keeps watch of the cochin I think she'd have moments of boldness and venture out. I'm looking for advise from anyone who has some on keeping chickens(particularly active crazy ones) close by while letting them out to free range. They have about .6 of an acre to roam, some of that is over grown with burdocks and jewel weed and some is wooded. Part of their job is tick and other insect control and they can't do that in a pen.