Free Range & baby chicks

[Bartsrock]

How long b 4 I should allow my hen and babies out? I have put in Coop since she hatched them. They r now 5 days old.

 

[Peplers chicks]

I let mine out on the third day, it depends on weather and predators, thats anyway my point of view

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Peplers chicks is right.
Without us trying to manipulate behavior, a hen will sit on the nest a couple days till all the eggs hatch. Once the chicks are dry and able to walk around she'll take them for a walk to teach them what to eat and drink.
So I open the door and give her the choice. Some go right out. If there is food and water in the coop, some will stay in up to a week.

 

[Bartsrock]

Thank you.

 

[LTygress]

More importantly, she'll also try her best to protect them from predators and other chickens.

Just yesterday my niece's little "Chorkie" got out (half Chihuahua half Yorkie). The dog is only about 6 months old, so she is still small, but bigger than the bantam hen who was walking around with four babies. Bantam hen didn't care. She puffed up and tried attacking the dog when it got too close.

The dog is scared of her now, and won't go ANYWHERE near those babies!

 

[Bartsrock]

I will have to keep dog in for awhile but my other hen is sitting now so only critter is the Rooster and of course chicken hawks...I will b as nervous or more than her I think. Going to let them out in morning. I know henny will b one happy chick to get back out of that coop. My chickens only sleep in coop when raining otherwise they r tree loving sleepers..I would rather them coop at night for safety reasons.

 

[Bartsrock]

Funny about the dog, I have a pretty good size anerican bulldog who is scared to death of my hens abd rooster. He flogged him pretty good as a pup so he learned quick to stay away.

 

[MyPetNugget]

I let my week old chicks out when it was 80 degrees outside. They were so cute trying to take dust baths.

Make sure you are always supervising, and they should be fine

 

[Bartsrock]

I let my chicks and hen out yesterday. Was so much fun watching them learn how to forage wood pile for grubs. Henny just got right back in cage at night fall was so suprised, since she has never been caged.

 

[humphrey farms]

I let mine out on the third day, it depends on weather and predators, thats anyway my point of view

My hen took hers from the nest on day 4 and had them walking around the coop area for another week before she started free ranging with them. It was so neat watching her teach them about dust bathing, water, and feeding. When they got cold she would sit down and they would crawl under her wings until warm again. Then the free ranging started again. She even brought them back at nightfall to the coop. They are now 14 weeks olde.