Chicks and their run....

[amk122284]

Chicks will be 6 weeks old Monday. We completed their run enough to start letting them out yay! Hubby still needs to put the steel roof on and I need to cover the hardware cloth skirt etc but for now they can enjoy their yard. Yesterday was the first time we let them out into it....it wasnt their first time outside but it was their first time being shuttled out kind of on their own....previously we would box them up and put them in a dog fence area...this morning we opened the coop door and a few of them have gone out on to the ramp but they go right back inside after a minute or two. Is this fairly typical? Will they figure it out on their own or should we usher them out for a few days to teach them?

 

[HappyClucker7]

I think they just have to realize it's safe. I would give them some time to get used to their surroundings.

 

[fowlosophy]

Chicks will be 6 weeks old Monday. We completed their run enough to start letting them out yay! Hubby still needs to put the steel roof on and I need to cover the hardware cloth skirt etc but for now they can enjoy their yard. Yesterday was the first time we let them out into it....it wasnt their first time outside but it was their first time being shuttled out kind of on their own....previously we would box them up and put them in a dog fence area...this morning we opened the coop door and a few of them have gone out on to the ramp but they go right back inside after a minute or two. Is this fairly typical? Will they figure it out on their own or should we usher them out for a few days to teach them?

Mine did the same thing until they saw some bugs to chase. The temptation eventually drew them out to explore.

 

[amk122284]

I had the kids take lawn chairs out and sit in the run for a bit. All the chicks made their way out ❤

 

[Peppercorngal]

Chicks will be 6 weeks old Monday. We completed their run enough to start letting them out yay! Hubby still needs to put the steel roof on and I need to cover the hardware cloth skirt etc but for now they can enjoy their yard. Yesterday was the first time we let them out into it....it wasnt their first time outside but it was their first time being shuttled out kind of on their own....previously we would box them up and put them in a dog fence area...this morning we opened the coop door and a few of them have gone out on to the ramp but they go right back inside after a minute or two. Is this fairly typical? Will they figure it out on their own or should we usher them out for a few days to teach them?

I'd just let them be. When they feel safe and curious they will venture out. I had a group of chicks that would not leave the brooder, I had to force them out. Now I have 13 day old chicks that can't wait to get out! They were free ranging yesterday already! You just have to go with the flow!

 

[rosemarythyme]

They'll go out when they're ready.

If you're the type that likes to push things though, you can kick them out. They won't be happy but it won't hurt them any.

 

[amk122284]

They'll go out when they're ready.

If you're the type that likes to push things though, you can kick them out. They won't be happy but it won't hurt them any.

I ended up sending the kids out after lunch....the chickens LOVE the kids. Kids went into the run with lawn chairs and just sat down and within a few minutes all the chickens were out running around I'll probably just have the kids start going out after breakfast until the chickens start coming out on their own.

 

[Peppercorngal]

I ended up sending the kids out after lunch....the chickens LOVE the kids. Kids went into the run with lawn chairs and just sat down and within a few minutes all the chickens were out running around I'll probably just have the kids start going out after breakfast until the chickens start coming out on their own.

Oh good! I knew they would come out!

 

[Doc7]

I do this just to speed it up.