Welded wire and chicks

[Kayla's Lunch]

I have 10 chicks that are 3 weeks old. I have been reading about integrating them with the rest of my flock. They have been in the coop for the past 2 weeks. The see the big chickens and the big chickens see them. I was wondering when do you let the little chicks out in the run or free range with the older ones? I have 2x4 welded wire as the run fence. About how old do the chicks need to be to not fit into those 2x4 openings? Thanks!

 

[rosemarythyme]

You can start letting them out now in the run area to interact with the bigs, though I would supervise at first to see how things go.

The chicks (depending on breed) can probably fit through the run fence openings up to about... 7, maybe 8 weeks. So best to use chicken wire, light bird netting, snow fencing, etc. to cover up the bottom foot or so of your fence to prevent chicks from squirting out. Make sure you install the additional fencing pretty taut (so chicks can't get tangled or get under it) and install it on the inside of the run fence, again to ensure that chicks don't get stuck between fence layers.

 

[Folly's place]

Hardware cloth would be better, if possible. As high up as you can! And on the inside of the welded wire.
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

Our bantam chicks could get through chicken wire, as can rats and small weasels.
Mary

 

[jher77]

I have 2x4 welded wire as the run fence. About how old do the chicks need to be to not fit into those 2x4 openings?

With white leghorns about 4.5 weeks old. I actually just checked this earlier today.