New Hens, how long should I keep them in the coop?

[Chickstarrs]

I just picked up 3 new hens. They are my first adult birds. I have some chicks in a dog crate brooder in the coop right now. How long should I keep the new hens in the coop so that they know this is their new home? Or can they go out in the run on the first day too? And how long before I can let them free-range? Thanks.

 

[Perris]

I would keep them in the coop for 24 hours, and let them free range as soon as they are reliably returning to the coop to roost. If you start treat training them now to come when you call, it will make free ranging - and in particular, getting them back when you need them to - easier. Good luck!

 

[mmmchicken]

Hi there. Others will chime in surely, but my advice is that they should be in the coop for a day, and then the next you certainly can allow them in the run. Chickens home fairly easy from what I've read (remember someone saying 3 days), but to err on the side of caution, maybe 5-7 days before allowing them to free range would be sufficient.