How can chicken flocks be kept free from stress when raising chickens in an orchard?

When raising chickens in an orchard, stress in the flock must be avoided. After the chicks are purchased, first brood them indoors in the chicken house using conventional methods, and once they have gradually been weaned off supplemental heat until they are close to the ambient temperature, transfer them to the orchard for free-range raising. When free-range raising begins, the time should be short and the distance should be short, then gradually extended later. In the first few days of free-range raising, because of the effects of moving the group and removing supplemental heat, a certain amount of vitamin C or multivitamins can be added to the feed or drinking water to prevent stress. Dogs are often kept in orchards; when the chickens are out free-range, do not let dogs or other animals suddenly approach the flock, to prevent frightening them.