What age to allow chicks to roam the yard?

[MBGone]

At what age should chicks be introduced to the yard even if it's only for a few minutes or hours?
When can they eat bugs, grass etc?

 

[danceswithronin]

At what age should chicks be introduced to the yard even if it's only for a few minutes or hours?
When can they eat bugs, grass etc?

I let mine in the run around 3 weeks.

 

[50-45-1]

Are you talking letting them loose in your yard?
Probably dont want to do that as they can be challenging to catch.
If you have a cage, even a wire dog cage. Line it with hardwre cloth so they cant escape thru the bars. You could set it in the grass and let them enjoy for the warmest part of the day. I would not leave them unattended for long as there are so many things that can happen. The sun might be to hot and no shade, or neighbors cat or dog come over and create havoc....
I have sen posts where chicks have disapeared from these cages. But they did not layer it with smaller wire first.

 

[MBGone]

I let mine in the run around 3 weeks.

Thank you. Wow 3 weeks huh. That will be a fun stepping stone in this adventure.

 

[MBGone]

Are you talking letting them loose in your yard?
Probably dont want to do that as they can be challenging to catch.
If you have a cage, even a wire dog cage. Line it with hardwre cloth so they cant escape thru the bars. You could set it in the grass and let them enjoy for the warmest part of the day. I would not leave them unattended for long as there are so many things that can happen. The sun might be to hot and no shade, or neighbors cat or dog come over and create havoc....
I have sen posts where chicks have disapeared from these cages. But they did not layer it with smaller wire first.

Thank you... I do understand your points. Those little things have some real get-up-and-go! I will certainly account for that.
I would still appreciate your opinion as to what age they can be introduced to the back yard.

 

[ErinOrr79]

I actually just brought my crew out for the first time today !! They're 4 weeks old n I sat with them in the pen the whole time lol . Its so fun watching them do "grown chicken" things like scratching and sunbathing while they're still so little lol !!! Good luck with your babies n have fun !!! ❤

 

[50-45-1]

Expand on "backyard" for me.
Fenced? Coop & run? Free range?
What preditors are in your area?

 

[Fishkeeper]

If they have access to grit, you can take them out at any point, but you basically have to set up an outdoor brooder. Heat source, shelter, and sit right next to them the whole time so nothing can get at em. Fence them in or they'll bolt.

 

[SueT]

Mine get moved out to coop at about 4 weeks and they have access to part of the run (after 2 or 3 days locked in coop.) I have seen each batch of chicks carefully orient themselves when they venture out, so they know how to get back in. Here's these bantams' first discovery of the outdoors:

 

[Chickassan]

I let mine run free at 6 weeks but they get daily outings in the chick pen at two weeks.
I am here 24/7 and set my pen where I can see and hear from the house and i'm also aware of where the shade is and isn't during the day.
The chick pen is pvc pipe with yardgard plastic fence zip tied to the sides and top it is 5X5X5 so I can stand up in there and the chicks can flap till doomsday.