Is there a purpose behind closed coop or free range

[devin mctaggart]

My husband and I are new at the chicken farm we are putting together and we r talkin about enlarging the chicken house for mOre chickens. But what our question is
Is there a purpose behind the free to enclosure. Like for eggs its best to free range but if you are going to eat them then enclosure is better??

 

[Clay Mudd]

It's more a matter of tradeoffs. Free ranging, they get better nutrition, more exercise, fresher air, and don't concentrate as much manure in the coop. But they're also more exposed to predators.

 

[Kaitie09]

Mine have to be in an enclosed coop because my dogs will eat them. We also don't have a fence, so they would be off into the neighbors yard if given the chance. I would love to free range though, the chickens seem to be more stimulated than when they are just in the run.