Can I let the chicks out?

[wormtowndavis]

I currently have a hen who hatched out 4 chicks. She's in an enclosure on the floor of the coop with them. More of a playpen made out of cardboard. It's high enough to keep the chicks in, but still let her jump out if she wants. The chicks are about 2 weeks old now and very active. Can I open the side of the enclosure to let the mama and chicks out for a bit, or should I keep them secluded until they're old enough to jump out on their own? Thye've got food and water accessible to them, but they're getting very active. Some of them already have some basic wing and tail feathers. Is it too early?

 

[Ridgerunner]

What are your concerns about letting them out? I'd let mine out from day 1 with Mama to protect them, but my set-up is probably different from yours.

 

[Backyard Hencam]

Sounds like they're ready to be out. Just be sure they are safe from predators and larger fowl! Good luck!

 

[bethandjoeync]

my experience with mama hen, she was a wimp and ran faster than the little ones to get away from the rest of the flock. I would supervise them to make sure that your mama hen won't do this lol. make sure she is going to actually protect them from others

 

[MikeG]

I've got 11 that should've hatched yesterday. I have them with momma in a nestbox in a large dog crate enclosed in a larger pen. Figure they'll be ok in the enclosed crate for several days. Then I planned to pull the door off the crate and let them roam in the larger pen. Figure momma will round them up at dusk...

 

[wormtowndavis]

Mine are all free range, and have about an acre to roam, so they're not in a run of any sort, so I guess that was my first concern. Mama has proven herself to be pretty defensive, even when she just goes outside to go to the bathroom, she's got her wings spread and lowered in a pretty agressive pose. The coop door is about 6" off the ground, but we built a ramp so the chicks could eventually go back in without having to jump up. I think I'm overthinking this a bit, and not trusting the mama to do what she does best, but they're so darn cute, I'd hate to have one get hurt!

 

[MikeG]

Quote:
Interesting. At what age did they start exploring outside the coop?

 

[wormtowndavis]

They haven't yet, these were all the steps we put in place so that when they do, they'll be able to get back in. Clarity in posts isn't always my strong point... sorry. But, I just went out to the coop to check on them, and the little buggers found a way out of the enclosure and are exploring the inside of the coop, so I guess they figured it out on their own!