I've seen several posts lately about free ranging and I would definitely love to let my chicks out in the yard, but I have a couple questions: When should I start letting them out? My chicks are 3 weeks old - are they a little young still? I'm really worried that they would get lost or I wouldn't be able to get them back to their brooder - am I being over protective?
I started letting mine out when they were 6 weeks old. I had cockerels and pullets and started by just letting the boys out first. After a couple of days I knew they could act as guides for the pullets. I think 3 weeks may be a little young unless you are there to watch them. Andy
Well I place my birds in their coop at 4-5 weeks old. i keep them in the coop for about a week. This way they associate the coop with home. After their week of being kept in the coop, I open the door. It usually takes a couple of days for they to figure out they can out, But some just rush right out. The First night or two, you might have to collect them up, once it nears dark, but after that they usually figure out to go in before dark.