How old to start free ranging chicks

[vermontgal]

When my chicks were ~4 weeks old, I would let 2 of my 4 out at a time. The others were still in the coop/tractor. The free ranging ones didn't want to completely leave the ones still confined, so it kept them together.

 

[H2OKarensa]

OK, just an update.
I have let them out now for the past 3 nights and for the last 2 nights I even let my hens out with them.

The hens only gave them "the look" when they were in the way, but mostly they all kept to themselves. It worked out really well.

There are 10 of these babies and they mostly went in by themselves, but just a short walk around with a herding attitude and they all went in pretty directly.

YAY!