How old till I can start letting them out in the run??

[michiganlarry]

After the big hatch was over this weekend I went out to the coop to see the 6 pullets that I got from TSC 2 weeks ago. They were probably 2 weeks old when I bought them. Their wings are fully feathered and they are starting to get some feathers around their necks and heads. Are they still to young to let out in the run?

 

[NancyP]

As long as it is secure and warm enough they should be fine.

 

[michiganlarry]

I guess that was part of the question. If I leave the pop door open on the coop will they go back in if they get cold?

 

[Opa]

Your biggest concern will be containing them. As long as your mesh is small enough to hold them they will be fine. You probably will have to chase them in to the coop until they get used to going in. Even then I would still check them each night.

 

[michiganlarry]

I can't get my tractor out there to plant the posts for the run wire yet. Still pretty soft around my house. I was just going to put in some temporary steel posts and chicken wire. Seems like they should be outside to me.

 

[Judy]

You're right, they should be.

 

[aidenbaby]

It sounds like you are going to be fine. Before my run was built, I used the wire sides of an old ferret cage. I'll bet your chicks will have a blast and tucker themselves out. As for whether or not they'll know to go into the coop, you may need to show them once or twice where to go. My 3 week olds taught my under-a-week olds what to do and now they're old pros. LOL

Make sure to take lots of pictures.

 

[jamz]

I made a small 3'x3' enclosure for the yard and have let my 1 week olds out almost every day, starting when they were maybe 5 days old. They love it, so long as I'm there and visible.