This thread interested me because I am just learning the in's and out's of having chickens. I have just in the last month started free ranging my hens and I go look to see what they are up to and count at least once an hour when they are out. Mine are truly free range. Once out of their coop, there are NO fences - they spend lots of time in the woods. The dopey things are starting to go pretty far and I just hope they stay away from the road! They love it, but it freaks me out. They do not go out unless I am home. I ended up with a Roo, and even though I didn't plan on it, it does make me feel a little safer with him out there. His name is Bully - because at first I thought he was just a big hen. (I mail ordered all hens, and wasn't expecting a Roo!) They are in a pretty well enclosed coops at night. My husband thinks it's varmint proof, but that remains to be seen, considering they've only lived out there two months. I fear the day when I lose one or more, I've grown very fond of several of them! I don't want to not let them out though. I truly believe that they deserve to be happy, and I want the health benefits for them and for the eggs they produce for my family. Even though they aren't even old enough to lay yet! Is 13 weeks too young for me to be letting them do all this? I kinda thought they would figure it out on their own.