8 wk old chick first time to free range

[RheaKay1]

Will my 8 week old chicks follow the adult hens back to the coup their first time out?

 

[crazy4ChickensNducks]

no. there is also a big possibility they will be killed by the hens if you dont integrate properly

 

[PippinTheChicken]

I will be moving out my chicks at 8 weeks old. How can this be done as safely as possible?

 

[RheaKay1]

no. there is also a big possibility they will be killed by the hens if you dont integrate properly

They have been separated in the large pen for the last 2 weeks.

 

[crazy4ChickensNducks]

They have been separated in the large pen for the last 2 weeks.

have they been in the pen in the hens coop or run so they can see eachother?

 

[rosemarythyme]

At 8 weeks on the initial outing they may not want to go out at all, so don't be surprised if they don't.

They may not follow the adults if they're not already pretty well integrated in with the adults (and may be more likely to run from them).

 

[Tonyroo]

They'll probably run away from the adults mine always do. So I did something different this time and made a brooder in the coop with the adults, so the chicks and adults have constant visibility. Stuck them in there at 1 week old.
I noticed when the chicks are close to the same size as the adults is when things are calm.