run or free range

[maine egg man]

I have built the playhouse coop, for my 6 ladies and they love it
but now i what more 6 is not enough ( go figure i'm hooked) what i need to know is the new coop I have in my head will be bigger and will have a 16x8 run, the coop will be 8x8, but I let my girls free range when i am home as the only area they have is inside the playhouse coop which is 4 x8, anyway what I am wondering is when i build the new coop and run can I still let them free range from time to time or is it too confusing for them to figure out, also when I move them into there new coop I am assuming I have to keep them cooped up until they know that is there new home so they aren't looking for there old coop,

 

[pkeeler]

I have a run and I let them free range. The chickens don't seem confused. They go between the coop, run, and range with no problems. I've noticed certain chickens like certain of the three areas better. But many will use all three.

I do have separate doors to the run and range. But I've seen set ups where the run had the door.

 

[muddler6]

Have a run that you can secure to keep the predators out! I got too comfortable leaving the run open and a pair of opposum took out several of my laying chickens and my meat birds. The egg layers range during the day and go back and forth between the coop, run, and range all day long. I NOW lock them in at night and let them out either in the morning or when I get home from work just about every day. They don't get confused, they know where home is, especially if you have a habit of bringing them treats at night, mine learned to recognize the butter dish I use to take the treats out. I have 2 A-Frame runs (one is a recycled swing set frame). Chickens are very adaptable to what you set up for them. Enjoy and welcome to the addiction!!