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.

 

[Doodlemom63]

Thanks for the responses, I have mixed flock and momma with babies, since mom took babies out of the chicken house they are too tiny to get back in so I opened up and cleaned out the outdoor brooder that’s only a few inches off the ground and she’s been using that to keep them still too tall for a couple of the babies so I go out multiple times a day to make sure they all are together and help the smallest get into the brooder with mom at dusk she doesn’t mind me helping thankfully! the others are two adult Cochins and younger Cochins and silkies I’ve had a time getting the adults to allow the younger ones to roost In the house they would huddle in a corner of the run and when it rains they can get wet, I’ve done some insane things to try to keep them dry lol so last night was the last straw! I came out to find all the younger one huddle at the door of the run not even inside the run, so I push them inside adults are already roosting, so I let it get a little darker and picked up 8 birds at once and placed them all inside the house and closed it bc the kept trying to come out, found #9 hiding behind a log lol sneaky booger! So with that done I was worried about adults waking up and attacking them so I came out at 4:30am and took door down from house and closed run back so younger ones had a chance to get out first. I think it works bc when the adults finally woke up they didn’t chase anyone fingers crossed it’ll stay that way. I usually let them out to FR around 8am sometimes earlier if I’m gonna be out there or if my dogs stay out, they follow the chickens around and watch them. And I wait until everyone is off hunting bugs then I’ll open the brooder for mom and babies.