Question about Free Ranging

[Shalva]

I have a small flock of 11 girls that I adore. Right now the coop is in a nice sized fenced area so they are separated from my 9 dogs (8 retrievers and an Irish wolfhound). I have wanted to be sure the dogs were safe with the chickens before I allowed them to have the run of the dog yard... (we have two acres fenced and I got the chickens primarily for tick reduction)....

For the chickens to go out of their pen they would have to go through an opening in their smaller fenced area that keeps them separate from the dogs. I would open that door which is about 3-4 foot wide and keep that open and that would allow the chickens into the big yard... the question is would the chickens know how to get back to their coop at night... would they know to go back through that door??? I am new to chickens... and my flock is very attached to me and I want to make sure that they can get back before I open that and let them out....

I would appreciate your thoughts
thanks
S

 

[what did I do]

Sometimes you have to teach them by putting them up but after a day or two of putting them back in the coop they should get it. How old are your chickens? If the chickens are a little older it will be easier to get them back in.

 

[Shalva]

they are 3 mos. now and i kept them contained until I knew the dogs wouldn't be a problem...

8 buff orpingtons and 3 barred rocks

they are very well socialized and will let me just pick them up....

 

[chfite]

If they are used to where home is, then returning from foraging should not be a problem.

I let mine out to forage after keeping them in a run for over a year. They trotted right to the coop when the time came.

Much relieved.

Chris