This morning some new additions came out of quarantine and were added to my laying hen flock. There were a few spats but they have all settled down.
Normally when I'm home for the day I let my layers out in the yard to forage. I haven't let them out today because of the new hens. The new hens came from a place where they were in a run 24/7 and didn't really experience the "great outdoors". There are plenty of places to hide if a predator did come up but I'm mostly worried about them learning where they sleep.
How long should I keep them cooped up before letting them all out together? If they don't go out today they wont' have another chance until Thursday.
Normally when I'm home for the day I let my layers out in the yard to forage. I haven't let them out today because of the new hens. The new hens came from a place where they were in a run 24/7 and didn't really experience the "great outdoors". There are plenty of places to hide if a predator did come up but I'm mostly worried about them learning where they sleep.
How long should I keep them cooped up before letting them all out together? If they don't go out today they wont' have another chance until Thursday.