How long till I can let my chickens out?

[RedfogsFlock]

Ok we just moved yesterday. We relocated our chickens the afternoon before, and they've been in their new coop now for two days and one night. How long until we can let them free range again, and they will automatically go back to their coop at night? We have 4 acres so catching them may be a chore if they decide they don't want to goto roost back in the coop!

 

[PandoraTaylor]

the best bet is to leave them in the new coop for several days to a week, then start by letting them out 1-2 hours before dusk (so they don't wonder to far) for the first couple of days.

Hope that helps.

 

[RedfogsFlock]

Yes the did help!!! I went ahead and let em out for a little while , while we were outside with them. It wasn't an hour and they all freaked out doing some crazy stuff! They all went down to the ground, and started making a noise like a velhasa raptor while they were like pointing with their beaks!! We looked and looked, but didn't see anything. Then just out of no where came two chicken hawks straight for our house!!

It took all we had to get them to leave! so much for free ranging!