Leaving the coop & run

[Toddyboy007]

Hi all -
I recently took the plunge and bought three fantastic Buff Plymouth Rock chicks last week for my back garden coop/run.
They are around 8-9 weeks old according to the breeder and are doing great in the coop/run, putting themselves to bed at night etc. But wondering when would be the best time/age to let them out of the run (supervised of course) to allow them to stretch their legs in the back of the garden.
Any advice?

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[BruceAZ]

Hi all -
I recently took the plunge and bought three fantastic Buff Plymouth Rock chicks last week for my back garden coop/run.
They are around 8-9 weeks old according to the breeder and are doing great in the coop/run, putting themselves to bed at night etc. But wondering when would be the best time/age to let them out of the run (supervised of course) to allow them to stretch their legs in the back of the garden.
Any advice?
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if you are keeping an eye on them.. then any time would be fine

since my dog also use the backyard and we have a garden.. i do not want the manure everywhere that the dog and us will be stepping on so.

i'll only let my chickens out of the run for about 40-90 minutes each day around 6PM while i'm cleaning out the coop/run + refill feeders... around 7:38pm or so they will go back in by themselves


as for what age. . it will depend on your area so it's hard to say

i don't have to worry about any predator here in my area so..

i left them outside in the pen on day 1 when i got them home..

[URL='https://www.backyardchickens.com/content/type/61/id/7428163/'][IMG]https://www.backyardchickens.com/content/type/61/id/7428163/width/500/height/1000[/URL]

 

[Toddyboy007]

Thanks Bruce - Planning on cleaning them out on Sunday so will give them an hour or so out

 

[BruceAZ]

Thanks Bruce - Planning on cleaning them out on Sunday so will give them an hour or so out

i noticed my chickens will all stand next to the door of the run around 6PM or so each day waiting for me

i guess it became a routine for me as well .. logging out of work and letting them out and start cleaning around 6PM each day and locking up the run and put in frozen water bottles in their coop around 7:35pm

if your run is large enough they probably don't need as much time outside.. but if you can they would enjoy being outside. you can add in a chicken swing, or hang the food so they can peck at or other boredom busters while they are all cooped up in the run

i'm having problem keeping them away from my garden.