Supervised free range age?

[Sbenson92620]

How long did you have your chickens before allowing free range? How old were they?
I have 4 pullets that will be 12 weeks old on saturday. I've had them for 3.5 weeks. They're getting pretty good about coming to me when I call them/shake their scratch bag. I'm wondering when I can let them out to free range in my yard. It would only be while supervised. Any advice is appreciated!

 

[chickentrains]

Yep, one they are fully feathered they can be out

 

[aart]

How long did you have your chickens before allowing free range? How old were they?
I have 4 pullets that will be 12 weeks old on saturday. I've had them for 3.5 weeks. They're getting pretty good about coming to me when I call them/shake their scratch bag. I'm wondering when I can let them out to free range in my yard. It would only be while supervised. Any advice is appreciated!

Do they go into the coop on their own at dusk?
I assume you have a run?

Best to start ranging late in the day, an hour before roost time so they can't go far before wanting to roost.

Smaller birds are more susceptible to predators, supervised or not.

 

[Sbenson92620]

Do they go into the coop on their own at dusk?
I assume you have a run?

Best to start ranging late in the day, an hour before roost time so they can't go far before wanting to roost.

Smaller birds are more susceptible to predators, supervised or not.

They do go into the coop on their own at dusk. They put themselves to bed and I just close them in. The run is attached to the coop but only 4'x8'. They're itching to get out! I am planning to put a 4' fence that stretches from our house to the property fence so they wouldn't be able to get to the street easily. They would be supervised the entire time as I'm very aware of the predators in the area. Do you think 12 weeks is too young?

 

[aart]

They would be supervised the entire time as I'm very aware of the predators in the area.

Have heard many stories about hawks and even fox grabbing a bird with human not 5 feet away.

 

[Sbenson92620]

Have heard many stories about hawks and even fox grabbing a bird with human not 5 feet away.

I know I plan to be a helicopter parent lol and my husband will be there as well. It wouldn't be for very long... just enough for them to get out for some exercise and scratch around. Thanks for all the advice!

 

[ReelFaster]

My 2 pullets will be 10 weeks tomorrow. I started letting them free range (Supervised) a bit with the bigger girls last week and weekend. They seem to be getting bolder and bolder as they are very curious which I think is related to their breed. I started having a little bit of trouble getting them back to the run so I've been careful. They are also scared to death of the older hens so when they see them they go the opposite direction. Getting the hens back is piece of cake with some cracked corn.

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

Mine free ranged since 7.5 weeks old unsupervised and I had no predator problems when they were young. They had access to lots of vegetation and cover along with a coop to hide under. I recently lost one but she was a fully grown 8+ pound and this was after they were already free ranging for almost a year. I think it's going to depend on how much activity is going on in your yard. I have two large dogs and people are always going in and out of the yard so predators are more wary. The coyote who took our singular hen happened to get her before the dogs were out as well and after being shot at hasn't returned. In my eyes, free ranging is just waiting for one to get hurt, but by staying aware of your flock and managing predators, the incidents can be made few and far between

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Old enough to do it already - long past when my birds are fully integrated with the adult flock and expected to free range for their meals (I only feed them once, in the evening, to encourage coming back to the roost, and to ensure they go to sleep with full crops - also makes them eager to go looking for food in the AM, knowing its going to be a long wait otherwise...)

That answers your question asked.

Now, for a host of reasons, I recommend you do not free range, supervised or not, until you have a way to strongly encourage them to stay on your own property. I'm a big fan of birds free ranging (even though the risk of predator losses, even supervised, climbs considerably). I am, however, much opposed to birds "at large" and off the owner's property.

Get the fence up first. THEN free range.

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

How long did you have your chickens before allowing free range? How old were they?
I have 4 pullets that will be 12 weeks old on saturday. I've had them for 3.5 weeks. They're getting pretty good about coming to me when I call them/shake their scratch bag. I'm wondering when I can let them out to free range in my yard. It would only be while supervised. Any advice is appreciated!

12 weeks was about the same age that my girls started free ranging with my supervision. Now they are about 15 weeks old, i feel they are more durable and stronger. I giggle when they get spooked and start screaming and run away together. So silly my little dinosaurs.