how long to keep new hens locked in coop?

[amfrme]

Hi everyone. We just got some year old hens.....previously we've only raised hens from chicks. I'm wondering how long I need to keep them locked in the coop so that they know where home is? The weather is beautiful and they've been limited to a small run for 5 days now. Do you think they'll come home at night if I let them out now?
thanks for your advice!

 

[gritsar]

Hi and welcome to BYC!
I would start with a week and if you find you are having to wrangle chickens at night, give them another week.

 

[kevintoy85]

We started with a week then let them out in the an hour before sunset for few days then then did it a little sooner and so on now I open up the yard in the morning and they are all back at night to lock them up.
Good Luck
Kevin

 

[amfrme]

thanks for your help. let them out yesterday after a week and all was fine!