Returning to the coop

[Nanblues]

Very new to having chickens and figuring everything out. I have a 4X6 coop attached to a 12'X22' screened in run. Will only have 9 layers and one rooster. My question is, if I let them out to the run say at 7 in the morning and leave the coop door open for them all day, will they return themselves to the coop early in the evening or will I have to go into the run and herd them back into the coop? One last question and this may not be the right forum to ask, but if I have the light come on at 4 in the morning should I have food and water avail to them in the coop or can they wait till they get outside?

Thanks for your help!!

Pete

 

[karlamaria]

They will go in them selves. They k ow as the sun goes down it's bed time. Mine did it from the beginning, and they free range and go to bed also.

 

[starforever61]

The light sounds early but that's ok. Maybe make it like 5 AM since it's summer. Even though you really don't need a huge light supplement in the summer because the days are so long. But make sure you wait until they have lived there a minimum of 2 weeks to let them free range or you may have some loose chickens on your hands!

 

[Patricia Jane]

Keep them in their coop for a few days or so. That way they will know that's their home. Then they should be fine and go back in at night. Good luck enjoy and

 

[ChickenAl]

Quote:
Always a good idea for a few days. After a week or so in the run they should know where to go at dusk. Mine free range an hour before dark and they line up and go in single file usually. Cutest thing to watch.

 

[ChickenAl]

BTW,

You'll love it here and get a great education in chicken raising too.