Free range, my chicks are 3 weeks old,

[LaynaDon95]

We learn that lesson about 3 years ago with some meat chicks, we bought about 70 and put them in a deep cattle waterer the next morning there was only 5 left. That was a valuable lesson. This will be our first egg layer batch.

I'm sure they will be fine. We live and learn. Good luck with your chickies!

 

[Thassa]

Mine started to free range on their own around 4 1/2-5 weeks. I started them out in the dog pen out back bringing them back inside to the brooder at night. One day they decided that they weren't going to stay in the pen anymore and when I went out to check on them I just about had a heart attack because I didn't see them right away. They were at the other end of the deck sunning themselves on a tree. From then on, they went out first thing in the morning and were always waiting by the back door in the evening. Now they are big kids and live out in the barn. I miss my peeps! (I do have a new batch in the brooder right now, but they aren't the same yet)

 

[centrarchid]

I free range chicks with dog. Unless chicks also under eye of hen, then I delay free-range phase to 5 weeks assuming standard sized fowl. My dog is fast as your dalmation and predator savy but a Coopers hawk can do the snatch and grab on three week old chicks without even stopping to land. Once chicks are pushing 1/2 pound the Coopers hawk will not be able to get you as they will not be able to go without killing chick first and that requires time on ground.

 

[Stephanie739]

Mine started to free range on their own around 4 1/2-5 weeks. I started them out in the dog pen out back bringing them back inside to the brooder at night. One day they decided that they weren't going to stay in the pen anymore and when I went out to check on them I just about had a heart attack because I didn't see them right away. They were at the other end of the deck sunning themselves on a tree. From then on, they went out first thing in the morning and were always waiting by the back door in the evening. Now they are big kids and live out in the barn. I miss my peeps! (I do have a new batch in the brooder right now, but they aren't the same yet)

When my chicks hatched from a broody (now just about 4 weeks old) began free ranging on their own while the rest of the flock was still locked in the dog kennel/coop (for the night) I changed plans. They were also getting out of my big run (where most of the big chicks stay during the day) going to the neighbors yard (alone) wandering aimlessly, happily oblivious to the dangers around the yard....I thought I wouldn't have them much longer if I didn't do something. 4+ cats hanging around seem very dangerous to these small birds.

It figures, a baby rooster broke his neck today, got stuck in the smaller wire I have placed over the pet enclosure! I found the poor baby hanging there in the sun...still alive. I got him out but he died soon after.


My very first group of chickens began free ranging when they able to fly out of the 6 feet dog kennel, about 3 months. I had no idea how to raise chickens at that time. I did lose two to dogs. They surprised and delighted me when they returned to the kennel each evening and perched on the top rail, allowing me to place them inside. I didn't teach them. They taught me!

 

[Stephanie739]

The babies have made me realize that my kennel/coop is not as secure as I thought too. I have smaller wire all along the bottom of the kennel which worked for other babies. These from the broody hatch have always followed mom around and weren't at all cautious of being in the yard alone...how they got out is still a mystery at this point.

 

[Thassa]

wandering aimlessly, happily oblivious to the dangers around the yard....I thought I wouldn't have them much longer if I didn't do something. 4+ cats hanging around seem very dangerous to these small birds.

My 4 cats are scared of the chicks. My WCBP girl will go out of her way to run over and peck at any cat that is remotely close to her. They learned pretty fast when they see her coming to run the other way! The one thing that cracks me up the most is when the sea plane flys over (which is many times a day), they all duck for cover. Its good that they are afraid, just funny its of the one thing that can't hurt them.

Sorry to hear about your little roo.

 

[Stephanie739]

My 4 cats are scared of the chicks. My WCBP girl will go out of her way to run over and peck at any cat that is remotely close to her. They learned pretty fast when they see her coming to run the other way! The one thing that cracks me up the most is when the sea plane flys over (which is many times a day), they all duck for cover. Its good that they are afraid, just funny its of the one thing that can't hurt them.

Sorry to hear about your little roo.

My cats stay away from the big chicks for that same reason. The chickens are not shy when it comes to helping themselves to the cat food and letting a cat know if it gets too close! This is one reason why I placed the baby enclosure in the run with the big birds.

Thanks for mentioning my roo..

 

[Thassa]

I know how heartbroken if anything happened to my little guys so I really feel your pain.

 

[Whispering_Raven]

The babies have made me realize that my kennel/coop is not as secure as I thought too. I have smaller wire all along the bottom of the kennel which worked for other babies. These from the broody hatch have always followed mom around and weren't at all cautious of being in the yard alone...how they got out is still a mystery at this point.

I have 40+ babies (4 weeks 3 days old) in a 4'x4'x15" brooder/run, whatever you want to call it. It's made of 3 rows of 2x4s, two 4x4 3/4" plywood for the ends, and a few 4x8 3/4" plywood just laid on top of horizontal fence boards. The 15' walls are covered in 1" hard-wire mesh, however I did cover part of that with window screen. There is no bottom, so they are directly on the grass and I have different size/shapes of logs and limbs for them to roost on. I kept them inside for only 1.5 week because they QUICKLY out grew the 120 gallon tub I was using! Anyway....

Thanks for starting this post. My babies are door dashing when I bring them food and water, and since we've been in a drought with temperatures 105+ their coop is getting pretty icky. I usually put fresh clipped grass in with my little ones, but there is NO grass to trim! I was curious if I could let them out yet. I've never raised this many chickens at once, and the ones I have raised stayed inside until they were 8-10 weeks before going out to the big coop. They would go outside with me and walk around everyday. I'm not so sure about 40!

P.S.: I live on a 20 acre farm, 4 dogs, 6 cats, 1 duck, 20 hens, 2 Roos.....All critters are entirely free range and have been with the babies (outside the coop of course) since they were put outside. Dogs and Cats are not a predator risk, the Roosters are not, in fact, one is VERY protective of babies. My Duck is the Queen and is VERY territorial. I would never leave my babies unsupervised at least until they were about 12-14 weeks.

 

[JohnBerry]

My chicks hatched on 6/20 and I had them out in the yard on 6/30. I decided to do this after watching my neighbor's free-range chickens and their chicks. While mine were inside under a 90 degree light they were frolicking around on a 75-80 degree day at the same age. I set up a small pen and stayed with them all the time. The minute any showed signs of distress I was going to bring them all in. All went well and they had two hours of fun in the sun. I also provided an area with shade but moved it when I took the pictures.

Now I take them out daily and cover the pen with bird netting while I work in my yard within sight of my girls.




The girls and Angie (my 5 pound "YorkiePoo). She does not seem too interested in the chicks. I put her with them daily but never leave them alone.




I put the pen where I can see it while I am out working. I make sure they have shade, food, water, and I cover it with a bird net to, mostly, keep them from flying out. At about 19 days old one is so good she comes close to the top when she practices flying.

I have 12 chicks. 6 Different breeds. I am still not sure which are which. Some are easy to tell but some could be one kind or another. Feathers will help. The breeds are:

Black Cochin
Buff Orpington
Ameraucana
Golden Lace Wyandotte
Australorp
Barred Plymouth Rock