The Rising Sun

[ELauraD]

Hi Everyone, My chicks are 3-4 weeks old and doing fine, I do have a nagging question... I saw in a post that some of you let your chickens out before/at sunrise... Is this strictly necessary? We get up at 5:30am. I am not looking to go out at 4 am but will if I must... what do you do? Thanks for your input, I am enjoying all your posts.

 

[Imp]

Hi Everyone, My chicks are 3-4 weeks old and doing fine, I do have a nagging question... I saw in a post that some of you let your chickens out before/at sunrise... Is this strictly necessary? We get up at 5:30am. I am not looking to go out at 4 am but will if I must... what do you do? Thanks for your input, I am enjoying all your posts.

No you do not need to let chickens or chicks out at sunrise.
When I've had 3-4 week olds they never got let out. (They were brooded inside)
My grown chickens have access to a run, but don't get let out, to free range around the yard, till I'm awake, and often not till after I've finished the pot of coffee. On days I work, it is when I get home. If I work till it's dark they don't get out at all those days.

Imp

 

[sdsmowen]

I let my 12 week old chickens out in the mornings around 7 am i do not think it has to be at sunrise. I keep my 5 week old chicks in still, I didnt let the older ones out until they were 8 or 9 weeks old.

 

[ELauraD]

Thanks for your responses, it helps to know what others are doing. I wasn't planning on letting the chicks out, just thinking ahead to when it is time. In this case, you told me just what I was hoping to hear. Thanks!

 

[sdsmowen]

We are new and i asked the same things at first they really are so much fun and they already know when it's time to come in so mine are pretty much putting themselves to bed now.

 

[ELauraD]

Here, too! Our little Roo made himself known for the first time this morning. He sounded so cute, just like he was saying "I'm Here, Chickie Chickie. It's a different sound than an adult Roo makes. Interesting things we learn--it's to bad I am determined not to have roosters.

 

[Red Barn Farms]

No, that is not necessary. I do however get up every morning at 4:30 am. So before leaving for work at 5:30 sharp I open the barn doors so our chickens can have the enclosed run area for the day before returning from work. Once home around 6 pm we let them free range till dusk. This morning i went out early 4:30 am which they didn't expect and they were still on the roost. LOL. I give them a handful of whole oats each morning.