When can I let them out of the run/coop??

[Tina D]

I brought my two ladies home today!

I have kept them inside their run, and put them to bed inside the attached coop this evening. The 4 year old is a buff orpington and the 1 year old is a cochin/polish mix. They came from a huge farm, and I just hate to keep them caged up. They look so confused! But, I know it's necessary for a while, so they become accustomed to their new home. When is the soonest I can let them out to explore the yard?? We have 6 foot tall wooden stockade fencing on 2 sides of the backyard. On the other 2 sides, we have chainlink fencing about 4 feet tall. I know the orpington couldn't fly over, and I'm pretty sure the cochin/polish couldn't either. They are both quite tame. What do you think??

 

[Momagain1]

you'll never know til you try!

Just let one out by itself and stay closeby...

I'd do it that way at first...

 

[cobrien]

Usually after a few days I let them out an hour before sunset and hang out with them. they don't go too far from the coop because they know it will get dark soon. I make sure they go back to bed on their own. Once they pass this test a few times I feel comfortable letting them out earlier in the day unsupervised, but there is always a risk of a predator getting them.

 

[Tina D]

Thanks! I did let the ladies out for a bit today. They enjoyed rummaging around for a short while. Then they both headed back into the run. I guess it's a bit of a security blanket to them, until they are totally comfortable here with us.