Free Ranging and First time in coop???

[Willow's Meadow]

Should I let chickens that just got from brooder to coop out or leave them in the coop for a week so they know its home? Also how long should they stay locked up? All day or be let out a little to run around in the run?

 

[chicmom]

Hi. When I first take my chicks out of the brooder in my basement, and put them in the little coop, I don't lock them in there....they have access to the attached run, but only because it's totally enclosed and safe. Of course, at night, sometimes I have to go out and put them into the coop and lock them up. After a few days, they go into the coop at dusk on their own. Then, after a couple of weeks in the coop/run, I let them start to free range, just a little bit each night before dark. Baby steps, ya know? LOL

 

[Akane]

If you have an enclosed run you could let them out but you will need to make sure you round them up just before dark since it's unlikely they will put themselves away at first. If you are free ranging it would be best to lock them up all day for several days to a week and then let them out late afternoon to evening so they don't wander far and check to make sure they get back in the coop by dark. I don't actually lock my coop up but I have a 170sq ft coop. When they leave the indoor brooder they go to a pen in the coop for a few days and then are turned loose in the coop. They usually don't find the door and try to leave for several days. I make sure not to spook them out the door during this time or they will usually get lost. I've lost 4 by having them run out of the coop too soon and being unable to find them before dark. When they do finally leave the coop on their own without being scared they just go across maybe 10' away to a dirt floored building where the chickens like to dust bathe and a flock block sits before returning to the coop. They'll slowly stay out longer and wander farther on their own so long as nothing scares them in to doing more than they are ready for.