Too soon to free-range?

[HopeSprings]

My flock of 17 chicklets are 7 weeks old this week, and have been in the coop and run for 2 1/2 weeks now. They are very good about putting themselves into the coop in the evenings. I'm wondering if it's time to let them out to free-range when I'm out working in the garden nearby. I haven't tried mealworms, but they do love their mash which I make at dinnertime.
I'm thinking of letting them out for the first time later in the day, so they won't be out too long. And I can use the mash to get them to go back into the run.
So, how old should they be before they're allowed out?

 

[Mrs. K]

Oh I would let them out, and I would just let them go back to bed, I would not worry about that too much.

If you really need to get them in, a treat, but any kind will work. And a long stick, such as a broom stick. Just stand so that they are between you and the coop. Hold the stick out wide and tap the ground and take one or two steps toward them, they should move away toward the coop, but just at a gentle non concerned walk. This is really a time that slower is faster. Stay stopped until they stop moving in the direction you want. I say "Hut, hut" but anything will work. Tap the ground and take a step or two again. If one gets by you, just ignore it, the urge to be with the flock mates, will make it come back. Eventually you get to the gate, and if you are patient one will go in and the rest will follow. A little pile of treats away from the gate will help with this part.

Good luck and enjoy

Mrs K

 

[HopeSprings]

Oh I would let them out, and I would just let them go back to bed, I would not worry about that too much.

If you really need to get them in, a treat, but any kind will work. And a long stick, such as a broom stick. Just stand so that they are between you and the coop. Hold the stick out wide and tap the ground and take one or two steps toward them, they should move away toward the coop, but just at a gentle non concerned walk. This is really a time that slower is faster. Stay stopped until they stop moving in the direction you want. I say "Hut, hut" but anything will work. Tap the ground and take a step or two again. If one gets by you, just ignore it, the urge to be with the flock mates, will make it come back. Eventually you get to the gate, and if you are patient one will go in and the rest will follow. A little pile of treats away from the gate will help with this part.

Good luck and enjoy

Mrs K

Thanks! I guess I feel like I’ve got so much invested in them (and not just the money!) that I worry about each new step!