What time do you let your flock out to free range

[Doodlemom63]

Is there a particular time to let your flock out to free range? (If you free range)

Everyone at once? Or in stages if you have multiple coops/runs?

 

[talkinboutchickens]

Hi, I have 2 coops, usually all the chickens stay in one of them, but if there are chickens in both coops I still let them out at the same time as each other. However this can depend if, let's say, one of your coops is a bachelor coop and they aren't allowed to be out at the same time as your other chickens, or maybe you are a breeder and have two breeds in seperate coops. Or possibly one coop is being treated for mites and you don't want them to mingle with other flocks in case they still have mites on them.
In those instances I would just do a take turns kind of thing, where one coop will free range one day, the 2nd coop will free-range the next, etc.
As for the time, I don't have a specific schedule I follow, I just let them out whenever I get the chance to in the morning. I guess it's more of a personal preference thing.

 

[SnackMeat]

I've read not to let them out til two hours after dawn because of predators. If I am out there with them, while not a guarantee, I don't mind letting them out within an hour of dawn.

Also depends on if it is really hot already.

Sometimes, if the weather is cooler, they might get let out three hours after dawn but that's unusual. I would say they're locked up between 9-12 hours but free ranging the rest unless it's raining. And even then we might trust some of the bigger birds because there's lots of cover. Just the silkies and the little ones have no preservation to stay dry.