Free run 7-8 week olds

[Katejc]

My chicks are not in their coop yet (its being built) and are living on our sun deck so they get no outside time unless I bring them out for a field trip. Are they old enough that I can bring them out in the yard with me and not stay on close watch? Like still be in the yard but not following them like I typically do? We have hawks and a neighbour retriever but I could put a dog kennel out so they have somewhere to take cover. Do they know to take cover? We also have ravens and magpies but they are bigger then those now. Thanks!

 

[doublecrossranch]

Oh I don’t know. I have my 5/6 week old chicks in our wire covered run. But we are in the woods and fields so I don’t know.

 

[Henry&Friends]

We have hawks and a neighbour retriever but I could put a dog kennel out so they have somewhere to take cover. Do they know to take cover?

They’re young, and haven’t ever seen hawks or dogs. They probably wouldn’t even be looking for them, so if one were coming, they wouldn’t take cover. I have left my chicks with my adult flock (separated by chicken wire) but I wouldn’t leave them alone. Hawks will take a chick within seconds, so i think it would be best to stay with them if they’re in the yard.

 

[Katejc]

Okay thanks for your advice. They definitely seem a lot more concerned with what is in the ground then in the sky. Our tiny black silkie who I am pretty sure is a roo seems to be on high alert and he makes this funny sound which causes all the others to freeze like statues if he senses any danger. Im hoping when everyone is bigger I can trust him to be in charge!

 

[pennyJo1960]

Do they have feathers

 

[igorsMistress]

Predators can and do take chickens even with people being outside. If you want 100% safety they need to be locked up. Any free ranging invites possible predation.

 

[Katejc]

Do they have feathers

Oh yeah, they are 2 months in a couple of days. They are huge.

 

[Katejc]

Predators can and do take chickens even with people being outside. If you want 100% safety they need to be locked up. Any free ranging invites possible predation.

This terrifies me. I usually keep my eyes on the sky whenever they are outside with me. We aren’t wide open, lots of trees so they can’t be spotted easily from a distance. We also have tons of farmland around us so I hope the hawks are well fed with rodents and not that interested.

 

[igorsMistress]

This terrifies me. I usually keep my eyes on the sky whenever they are outside with me. We aren’t wide open, lots of trees so they can’t be spotted easily from a distance. We also have tons of farmland around us so I hope the hawks are well fed with rodents and not that interested.

I went outside not long ago just in time to foil an owl in my yard that was after my chicks. My husband also happened to be around when a young hawk was after pullets a couple of years ago. We've been lucky, but I still let my chickens free range in my yard. I don't want anything to happen to my birds, but I won't keep them in a run.
My chicks are young but they knew that owl was a predator and took cover. They're smarter than a lot of people give them for.