I am still in school so I won't be there to watch them outside all day. I can't let them free range all day because most of my neighbors have dogs. Will they have trouble being cooped up a lot?
I let mine out into their range run every afternoon for about 5 hours. Now that it is staying lighter outside, you may be able to let yours out when you get home from school and let them stay out until just before sunset. They love their free range time, but many chickens live with little or no run time. I think more range time is better, but mine are cooped during inclement weather or if there is construction on our property (for their own safety/protection.) They should do okay with a simple routine and maybe you can range them each afternoon and more on the weekends. Kate
I have a coop with a reasonably sized run on it, and they are fine with it... I do let them out on the screened porch after school so they can run and flap and cluck and perch.
