There are just so many variables...
I brood outdoors in a side-by-side arrangement and supervised, shared range time starts when they're tiny (the first nice day when they're roughly two weeks). They don't go far and the hens don't even seem to regard them as chickens yet. I wish that I had the two pens connected... Anyway, they'll gradually expand their comfort zone and start venturing into the adult house/run. I'll then close them in with the adults and a good scattering of corn so they aren't the main focus and observe. That's how I determine whether they're ready. I want to see them solve it when they're pecked with a short run or hop up rather than extreme panic and I want to see the hens not chase them when they run away.
They've just hit 12 weeks and are in with the big girls full-time now. We're pretty close to done but they haven't wanted to roost in the coop yet. I added a nightlight and am hoping not to have to put chicks on the roost in the dark tonight...
I brood outdoors in a side-by-side arrangement and supervised, shared range time starts when they're tiny (the first nice day when they're roughly two weeks). They don't go far and the hens don't even seem to regard them as chickens yet. I wish that I had the two pens connected... Anyway, they'll gradually expand their comfort zone and start venturing into the adult house/run. I'll then close them in with the adults and a good scattering of corn so they aren't the main focus and observe. That's how I determine whether they're ready. I want to see them solve it when they're pecked with a short run or hop up rather than extreme panic and I want to see the hens not chase them when they run away.
They've just hit 12 weeks and are in with the big girls full-time now. We're pretty close to done but they haven't wanted to roost in the coop yet. I added a nightlight and am hoping not to have to put chicks on the roost in the dark tonight...