Chicks leaving the coop?

[Beeks83]

Hello,

I recently got my first 3 hens (pekin bantams) who all went broody almost instantly! This wasn't part of the plan so tried to break them, but when we couldn't we got them eggs to sit on, which have now hatched.

The chicks are now 3 days old and the mother hens still seem happy enough to sit on the nests and not venture any further.

There is chick crumb and water in the coop and I'm cleaning any poop messes regularly, so they don't need to leave if they don't want to.

Getting to my question, when might the hens start heading out again? The coop has an attached run so if they venture there with the chicks they'll be safe from predators and have a bit more space, but as I'm new to this I'm not sure when is generally safe for chicks to follow mums from the nests.

Any advice very gratefully received!

Thanks

 

[sourland]

It is very likely that the hens will start moving around fairly soon. The chicks are old enough and mobile enough that they should be fine. Chicks don't 'understand' about returning to raised coops so if your entrance is raised they may need help for a time or two.

 

[Beeks83]

It is very likely that the hens will start moving around fairly soon. The chicks are old enough and mobile enough that they should be fine. Chicks don't 'understand' about returning to raised coops so if your entrance is raised they may need help for a time or two.

Thank you! I was hoping they'd want to come out soon as the weather is good and they've been inside on eggs for most of the day for weeks now.

 

[Beeks83]

They came out today and all loved being outside! Very happy and not so worried about them any more