Question

[Chick Chicken Egg Eater23]

My chickens have been in the coop for about 2 or more weeks now. If I let them out to free will they come back to roost at night

 

[sawilliams]

Do you have a run? Or by in the coop do you mean coop and run? If they are in the coop and you have a run or can set something temporary up let them out there for a week or so first.

Best to start in the evening an hour or so before bed. Assuming you don't have a run or are letting them out of the run. The limited time will keep the girls close to the coop and more likely to go home. Each night you give then an extra 30min to an hour more time time untill they are to the schedule you want

 

[Dmontgomery]

I agree. If they are locked up in a coop, but have an enclosed outside run, let them out. They will go back in to sleep.
If you are talking about letting them free range, do it just before dark for the first few days. Initially they won't wander very far and will be able to find their way back in to roost. After they have proven themselves, they can stay out a little longer each day, if that is your goal.

 

[ChattyChickens4Life]

I have a coop and a run. I let my 11 wk chicks out in the run during the day, and they put themselves back in the coop at sundown. All I do then is lock the coop door. If you have a run, they will be in close vicinity to the coop, so they most likely will put themselves to bed. You may have to physically put them in the coop the first few nights. Good luck!

 

[lazy gardener]

Yes, but you should supervise until you are confident that they "get it". Beware, young birds are prime targets for predation from both air and ground.

 

[Chick Chicken Egg Eater23]

Do you have a run? Or by in the coop do you mean coop and run? If they are in the coop and you have a run or can set something temporary up let them out there for a week or so first.

Best to start in the evening an hour or so before bed. Assuming you don't have a run or are letting them out of the run. The limited time will keep the girls close to the coop and more likely to go home. Each night you give then an extra 30min to an hour more time time untill they are to the schedule you want

Coop and run should of been more specific

 

[Chick Chicken Egg Eater23]

Yes, but you should supervise until you are confident that they "get it". Beware, young birds are prime targets for predation from both air and ground.

OK thanks

 

[Chick Chicken Egg Eater23]

I let them out tonight and they loved it and they went back to roost without me chasing them. Im proud of them now just to get them to start laying

 

[Chick Chicken Egg Eater23]

I have a coop and a run. I let my 11 wk chicks out in the run during the day, and they put themselves back in the coop at sundown. All I do then is lock the coop door. If you have a run, they will be in close vicinity to the coop, so they most likely will put themselves to bed. You may have to physically put them in the coop the first few nights. Good luck!

Thanks they went to their roost without a problem

 

[MaryZoe]

I let them out tonight and they loved it and they went back to roost without me chasing them. Im proud of them now just to get them to start laying

Yes, the laying part is the greatest test of patience! You may have a ways to go, though. Some of mine start as young as 4-5 months, but some wait as long as 8 months. Sigh.