Leave them in the coop until late morning?

[rosemarythyme]

I use an auto door and even then the chickens don't get let out until 7:45 AM - sunrise is when we have the most wild critters passing by, so I do not want them out as soon as the sun is up. In a hotter climate I'd suggest letting them out a bit earlier, or providing water in the coop, but otherwise as long as there's enough space for the birds they're fine getting let out later.

 

[perkolator]

If you have a secure setup I don’t think it matters.

I was using an auto door to let mine out of my secure setup into a not so secure additional run - bobcat started visiting in the AM when the door opened around 8am