I think that is a good Idea let the boys free it's neat to see free range chickens I soooo wish I could let mine free range and no roosters are so easy to come by that they are hard to get rid of. If you can't use em for the table then just let them out and if something gets them your not out anything and they will stay close to the coop mostly anyways.
Sounds to me as if you are panicing!!! Take a breath it's all GOOD!!!! As for the hen's that were in a bad home they will do fine now you are giving them what they need and chickens are very resiliant they bounce back pretty easy as long as they have their head attached and aren't bleeding anywhere, and aren't acting sick . So seems like you got it under control.
