allowing chicks in the yard?

[greenemother]

Hi,
I was wondering if it's okay to allow my 3 week old chicks to peck around in the backyard? Haven't done it yet. The temps here have been almost 90 degrees. Is it okay for them?
Thanks~

 

[shaggy]

yes

 

[greenemother]

Oh goody!!! Do I need to supply them with grit?

 

[Judy]

It would be a good idea to gat some chick grit, yes. Or sand if you can't find chick grit.

 

[Chickengal505]

I let mine out at two and three days old when its that warm... They'll get grit from sand and other gravels and dirts they eat... May want to put a dish of sand just to be shure... You should have seen my week-olds trying to dust bathe in th mud,they were nasty for weeks and had a blackish tint to their fluff when the started molting... Stay away from wet sand,dirt,mud,gravel other earths as they WILL insist on gettin' dirty

such a laugh

editied to say: They of course only "free ranged" In their make shift play pen made of cement blocks... Or just let'm play in the clovers and lay on your back wath the clouds and when they get cold or tired of playing they'll snuggle down wedged under "mommy" and nap till their warm or rested... I MISS THE DAYS WHEN THEY WERE CHICKS...

 

[Gallus_domesticus]

They will ingest little rocks/pebbles/gravel when outside. Personally I have never had to supply grit to chicks or adults, though I do live in a particularly "rocky" state!

I love when I get to start letting chicks outside for their first brief forays in to the real world. Their first dustbaths are adorable. And don't be alarmed when they flop over on their sides and stretch out a wing or leg to soak in some sunshine! (Wow I really sound like a crazy chicken lady

)

 

[MomMommyMamma]

We let ours out at that age as well. Though we did keep a very good eye on them. Don't want any predators to snatch them (we live near the woods). They're lots of fun to watch as they peck and scratch

 

[midd2005]

it's very important to make sure they are in the shade though. they will wig out if you put them in direct sunlight. learned that one the hard way.

 

[MomMommyMamma]

We put them out so that they have mainly shade but some sunlight available. We use a large circular babygate so we can move it around. They do like to sunbath a little. It's very cute