Letting the chicks free!

[TheFreemanFarm]

I'm so glad I could reach out to this community and be seen as an ignorant fool. Thanks for taking the time to respond.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Sorry, I'm missing some info here! We are in Georgia- and while it's been chilly and hovering around freezing, nothing insane. I should also have added that I don't plan on letting them out for a little while longer yet! They've been outside in the coop or garage since they were hatched, and are now about 95% feathered and most no longer sleep on their Brinsea EcoGlow plate.

We definitely have predators, including dogs, minks, coyotes, raccoon, opossums, foxes, hawks, etc. We have two dogs for now that can hang outside during the day with them, and will be getting a permanently outside dog soon (but we are researching breeds currently).

I do realize that we are at risk for predation by not having a run, but I really don't want a run- if they have to be restricted, I don't want to keep them. We have a very wooded back area (which i know can be both advantageous and a risk), and lots of hiding areas in the yard.

For those that do let them out, at what age do you feel comfortable doing so?

I let my chicks out onto ground at three weeks of age. However, the run for chicks is TINY- a dog kennel. It is lined with chicken wire to keep the owls from pulling them through, and covered with shade cloth. I watch them out the kitchen window as well, and only do this when the weather is mild. Not winter.

When they are six weeks old (able to be off their light) I keep them confined to a smaller area within the pen, under the netting, until three months of age. Under three months and I lose them to owls and hawks too much.

When they are three months old they can run all over.

Having a run gives you the advantage of penning them up when you see a predator, or if you go on vacation and others must feed them, etc.

One dog coming into your yard can take out your whole flock in under 30 minutes.

Your own dogs may need to be separated from the chickens as well.

 

[centrarchid]

I'm so glad I could reach out to this community and be seen as an ignorant fool. Thanks for taking the time to respond.

You have not invested any effort to answer questions given to you. Thus far you have indicated what you will not do. That is an alarm signal in its own right concerning how much you will invest in the birds. As a result people such as myself will be reluctant to advise since not confident results are likely to be successful.