New hens

[Cindylouacker]

I just bought four year old Plymouth rock hens yesterday. Do I need them to get used to their new surroundings before I can free range them ? Or is it better to do it now ?

 

[sassysarah]

If you have a lot of land I probably would wait till they get used to there new home.

 

[Pork Pie]

It's best to keep them in the coop for 3-4 days before letting them out. By that time, they should associate the coop with "home". You can hang a flashlight in the coop on the evening of their first outing, and this should also help draw them back to the coop.

 

[sassysarah]

It's best to keep them in the coop for 3-4 days before letting them out. By that time, they should associate the coop with "home". You can hang a flashlight in the coop on the evening of their first outing, and this should also help draw them back to the coop. 

Good idea!

 

[bobbi-j]

After several days (I usually wait a week, but I have an attached run so they can be outside), you can let them out an hour or so before sundown and they won't travel too far from the coop. I'd do that for a few days, then let them out a little earlier, then a little more earlier, etc.

 

[Mrs. K]

If you have a run, I would let them in the run/coop as they wish. If you have an established flock that uses the coop, and the new birds will generally follow them in.

I just don't like the idea of birds trapped in a coop, especially a small coop. To me a run/coop is best, if you have that let them use both, and in a couple of days let them out of that an hour or so before dark.