Free ranging with baby chicks

[Kyatesw]

I have a broody hen and chicks coming tomorrow. Assuming all goes well, can I let the hen and chicks "free range" with the other two in my flock when they decide they are ready? I say "free range" because I live in town and they are let out of their run in the backyard when we are home. The yard has a six foot fence and we have 3 dogs (who are mostly afraid of the chickens) so really the only predators are maybe cats, and the occasional hawk. I'm thinking of getting a pop up pen, but I can tell if it's a good idea or not.

 

[sourland]

Chicks are very vulnerable to predation from cats and hawks. A covered pen might be a good idea.