Free range or should my four girls be in a pen?

[4chickz]

My chicks are in my back yard they have a coop.But i just let them roam their side of my back yard.We have an 8ft fence around my yard. I have had my girls for 5 months and they have just started laying and they do it in the coop.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

You mentioned "my chicks", do you have chicks also or are you talking about your laying pullets?

If you just have the 4 then by all means let them range but there is always the threat of hawks during the day.

 

[4chickz]

They are laying pullets sorry we call them are chicks.

 

[ChickensRDinos]

You really just have to way the pros and cons and decide what is best in your situation with your goals. They will love to be out and it can cut down on your feed costs. The are also good with small pest control and are great weeders. But if they are out then there is always a chance of a predator. Take a look at how exposed they will be and what predators are common where you live and how willing you are to accept the possibility of loss to get the benefits of free ranging.