Too young to free range?

[TXmama4boys]

Here are my 5 week old chicks. I am feeling a bit nervous. They share a coop with my 16 week old chicks. The older chicks free range great and have been out and about for a few weeks now with no issues. My 5 weekers are starting to get brave and venture out of the coop. The older ones wander off behind one of the buildings, out of eye-shot of the little ones... So the littles do not have the protection of the bigger ones. I am nervous to leave them to free range without my supervision. Are they too young to free range on their own?

Thanks in advance.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Depends. I open the door and let them decide what to do. Some are adventurous and some broods are very timid.
If you don't have a rooster, the older birds won't be much protection if a raptor, dog or other predator approaches.

 

[TXmama4boys]

I currently have 5 roosters in my flock of 15. They are far off when they free range. They probably wouldn't be too helpful with how far away they are when the chicks are out.