I too am worried about letting my hens out. They are already laying, though I've only had them about a month (they are about 9 months and 1 is over a year). I have a completely fenced yard but I keep them in a tractor pen because I'm afraid they will fly out and into the lovely trees in the front yard - or worse - into the lovely trees in my neighbors yard. I have two hens that would come up to me if I had food but the other hen has lived quite a wild life up until now. I do not want to lose them to a neighbor's dog - but at the same time - I want to give them some more freedom.