at what age is it safe to free range

[ga*chick*]

Chicks are now 6 weeks..think its safe to let them out to range with the older chickens?

I'm a bit hesitant because there has been alot of hawk and owl activity. Don't want to lose anyone to attack.

 

[brkuk]

I am no expert but I let mine free range at 12 weeks. Good luck.

 

[Judy]

I'm afraid "safe" and "free range" are mutually exclusive. I have some that free range, I'm not opposed, but I don't kid myself that they are safe.

You are likely to have aggression problems if you turn 6 week old chicks loose with adults. Read here:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-adding-to-your-flock

 

[walkswithdog]

At no point is free range "safe".

While a 12 week old is less likely to be killed by a hawk, it happens.

Predators are out there, see them or not. I lost two full grown, hen turkeys to a fox that had never been here before.

I've seen an owl decide to kill a grown hen but be unable to do nothing with it.

In a truly free range situation, you lose stock. That's the way it is.

Six weeks is something a hawk would fine proper prey sized to remove in most breeds.

It's best to design hides, trim bushes to provide broad dense shelter, provide netted space and other safe zones - to provide SHINY objects to deter hawks like hanging CDs/DVDs.

Those help. But there is NO true safety for a free ranged animal, ever.

If you want safety you build a big, wire enclosure, with a top and dig wire and small mesh and hope.

 

[ga*chick*]

Okay...

6 weekers are already mingling with big chickens..they are doing fine.
I have plenty of hiding spaces live on 8 acres of woods.
They hawks have always been around, but I have never had a problem with them before,knock on wood. Its stray dogs that like to thin my flock...and they disapear once caught.

I'll probably wait a couple more weeks, have new seed in the veg. garden. Don't want them helping themselves to a buffet..lol

Thanks for your suggestions!

 

[toletiquesbysam]

I've got 7week old chickens and they've been free ranging in the evenings now for the past few weeks. I leave the door open so they can go back in if they want and about 1/2 stay out the entire time, and the other 1/2 like to stay in the coop!