Free ranging

[Isabella F]

I have chickens that are 7 weeks old. I've been letting them free range with me standing and watching the whole time. I'm worried that some sort of predator will come and eat/harm them. When is a good age to let them free range by them self's? (I would still be in the house)

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Previously, yes. My first years of keeping were on a 5 acre plot with no neighbors closer than across 40 acres of field.... My birds were fully free ranging.
Prior to our most recent move we were on a little over 2 acres and the birds were free range 4-10 hours most days.
Now we are inside city limits and my flock is only able to be out of the run under direct supervision due to the speecifics of how things are arranged

 

[Colleen2016]

Im not an expert but would think it depends on whether there are predators close by. In our neighbourhood we have racoons, so keep an eye out for them. Dogs can also be a problem if you aren't well fenced. Do you have neighbours with chickens? You could ask them their experience. Good luck with the chickens

 

[Isabella F]

Thanks. No neighbors. I do have some friends.

 

[Chickiemom25]

I let mine out of the brooder at 8 weeks, and free range by 12. We have dogs so the dogs warn of anything that might be arriving from the back of the property( woods). The hens were very careful to stay in the run or under a huge tree at first but now at 5 months, they wander where ever they want. I dont find them too far from foliage usually but they will go all the way around the house. Ducks will wonder cross the 5 acres multiple times a day out in the open. Guineas will start to be released in about a week now what they seem to be able to screetch. they are about 8 weeks now

 

[centrarchid]

My answer will require more information with respect to how your yard is setup, including acreage. Do you have clumps of vegetation providing cover from raptors and to keep birds concentrated in area you can invest more readily in protecting? What about possibility of putting up some sort of fencing, particularly that which can be electrified?

 

[GC-Raptor]

I didn't let my girls, (no rooster) free range till they were 13 months old. Why, paranoia. My girls were attacked by a Coopers Hawk, in their open top pen, around 7 months of age. Fortunately my girl Raggedy Ann, survived. Yes I renamed her . A coopers hawk is small. Fortunately I was home and heard the commotion and rushed outside, the coop is only 30 feet from my back door. The hawk flew to a tree.
Well six months later, no more attacks. The attack happened mid morning.
I let my girls out 2 hours before sunset daily, weather permitting. After 5 days they learned where the open gate is without me showing them. They are back in the pen around sunset. It's been close to a month now. So far so good. GC