Free ranging your flock while you are away

[KlopKlop]

I would like to hear peoples opinions about free ranging their flock while they are at work and/or away from home. I currently have my flock of about 45 split into two coops with large fenced yards where they have access to grass/weeds/dirt etc. I am working on allowing them to free range in the evenings outside of their yards, this is hinging on my dogs slowly learning that chickens are not to be chased.

Back to my main point, I would like to let them out during the day while my wife and I are at work but I am just nervous about them being unattended. I would love to hear some success stories and encouragement. (P.S. my dogs are in the house during the day while we are gone)

Klop

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Perhaps you would feel a bit more secure with an electric fence.

I've been letting mine out all day whether I'm there or not. That said, I keep a rooster with each flock. Like the one in my avatar.
When there was no rooster, I've lost birds to hawks and fox during the day. I haven't lost a hen to a hawk when there was a good rooster with them. I did lose a rooster once to some unknown predator, but the hens were safe. I suspect the culprit was either a coyote or our neighbors malamute/husky crosses.

 

[KlopKlop]

Perhaps you would feel a bit more secure with an electric fence.

I've been letting mine out all day whether I'm there or not. That said, I keep a rooster with each flock. Like the one in my avatar.
When there was no rooster, I've lost birds to hawks and fox during the day. I haven't lost a hen to a hawk when there was a good rooster with them. I did lose a rooster once to some unknown predator, but the hens were safe. I suspect the culprit was either a coyote or our neighbors malamute/husky crosses.

The hens get to be in the fenced yards during the day, and we have yet to lose any that way. We did just get a new rooster this weekend (a 12 lb Buckeye monster!) that will go with one set of the hens once he passes quarantine. We thought he should be able to lead them and protect them.