Free Ranging New Chickens

[ukchickengirl]

Hi - i've had my 4 girls now for 10 days and they have been in their coop/run all the time but wondered when i could let them out to free range? DH and i are working on the new bigger run this weekend so will be in the garden most of the time but is it too early?

Thanks

H x

 

[2mnypets]

Welcome to BYC since I haven't seen your posts before. It's great to have you as a part of the family. How old are your babies that you've had for 10 days? If they are just babies, I personally would wait a little while. If they are older where you can visually see them better, that might be a different story. I know I was a panicky mess when mine first started free ranging. I refused to go inside to make sure the dogs didn't get them. I've been cautious at the moment to let them freerange because the farmer could be coming around any day now to bring the corn down. Let us know the ages and maybe someone can better answer your question.

 

[mdbucks]

are they 10 days old or you have had them for 10 days.

If 10 days old- I would not just let them out free, I would let them out into a temporary fence, doesn't take much to hold them in

If older and new to you- I would start by lettting them out late in the day to make sure they will return to coop to roost. If they do good the first night give them longer freeranging time till your sure they will return to the coop each night.