What age to allow chicks to roam the yard?

[TheRusticRebel]

We used to let our chickens free range our large fenced in back yard. It wasnt predetors or them running away that was the issue. It was how destructive they were. And poop everywhere even on the deck. Lost some bushes and mums due to their digging and they always kicked dirt all over the sidewalk.

So. We ran a fence down about 1/3 of the yard . they have their yard and we have ours. They have so much room they rarely try to get on our side. We put pullets in the coop at 5 weeks. They stayed in their for a few weeks then we ley them into a little fenced area adjacent to the coop for a week or so and now at 10 weeks they are out in the big yard with the others.

 

[debid]

I start at approximately two weeks. Completely supervised. They've had plenty of time in their baby coop by then so they will return to it for safety when frightened.

To get them back in, I can either shut the door when they all return for a drink or when something startles them or I can herd them back and they'll run inside.

I'm working now on returning for scratch training (5-6 weeks) at the same time they're nearing full acceptance into the adult flock (they all range at once so the littles get their beak-to-beak interaction time this way).

They're just about ready to merge! The adults have accepted them, they just need to realize the adults aren't trying to kill them anymore.

My first batch was started in a typical brooder box and I have plenty of memories of barricades and chasing chicks. The kids even had to crawl under the deck to retrieve one that flew over the barricade.

 

[Celticdragonfly]

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.View attachment 1767273

I love it! I'm tempted to make up something like that as sort of a chicken tractor for roaming both with the little ones now and later when they're bigger. I can't stand up in a 5' height - which is a shame, I found out while shopping for feeder parts that they come as 10' lengths - but my daughter's only a bit over 5', might work.

 

[MBGone]

Wow, thank you all for the kind responses. This is so much great information!
My new flock turned 2 weeks yesterday so each day I'm seeing noticeable changes and the questions just come flooding through my mind. I certainly take these little lives that are in my care seriously and you peeps have helped in so many ways.
So to answer a previous question. I have an open yard within a large wooded area here in central Virginia. I have the usual mix of foxes, raccoons, possums, snakes, coyotes in the shadows and my biggest concern is a (local for many years) family of Redtail hawks.
The yard is unfenced at this point so I would never allow them outside without full supervision. I'm still pondering the overhead threat...
It looks like I'll soon be a regular at the local hardware stores fencing/netting section.

Since I'm on the subject are hawks a threat to all age birds or just the little ones?

Thank you again, and peace to you all today.

 

[Angelaavant]

Around 3 to 4 weeks.

 

[chkva]

Wow, thank you all for the kind responses. This is so much great information!
My new flock turned 2 weeks yesterday so each day I'm seeing noticeable changes and the questions just come flooding through my mind. I certainly take these little lives that are in my care seriously and you peeps have helped in so many ways.
So to answer a previous question. I have an open yard within a large wooded area here in central Virginia. I have the usual mix of foxes, raccoons, possums, snakes, coyotes in the shadows and my biggest concern is a (local for many years) family of Redtail hawks.
The yard is unfenced at this point so I would never allow them outside without full supervision. I'm still pondering the overhead threat...
It looks like I'll soon be a regular at the local hardware stores fencing/netting section.

Since I'm on the subject are hawks a threat to all age birds or just the little ones?

Thank you again, and peace to you all today.

I'm also in Virginia. I have a friend who puts up string in her run area/yard, it stops Hawks and air predators from swooping down to get the chickens. They can't navigate through string, I know many other people do this as well.

 

[Stacyoung13]

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 made a playpen out of leftover screen and have had my babies out in the grass as early as a week old.

 

[ZooAtHome]

Since I'm on the subject are hawks a threat to all age birds or just the little ones?

I once saw a hawk flying along side the road about half a mile from my house (I did not have any chickens at the time), carrying a full-grown chicken. The bird was obviously working hard, but it was definitely flying about 15-20 feet off the ground. So, I'd say they are always a threat.

 

[debid]

Wow, thank you all for the kind responses. This is so much great information!
My new flock turned 2 weeks yesterday so each day I'm seeing noticeable changes and the questions just come flooding through my mind. I certainly take these little lives that are in my care seriously and you peeps have helped in so many ways.
So to answer a previous question. I have an open yard within a large wooded area here in central Virginia. I have the usual mix of foxes, raccoons, possums, snakes, coyotes in the shadows and my biggest concern is a (local for many years) family of Redtail hawks.
The yard is unfenced at this point so I would never allow them outside without full supervision. I'm still pondering the overhead threat...
It looks like I'll soon be a regular at the local hardware stores fencing/netting section.

Since I'm on the subject are hawks a threat to all age birds or just the little ones?

Thank you again, and peace to you all today.

I also live in prime predator territory.

Hawks will hit and kill grown birds and just eat what they can while on the ground. They don't need to be able to carry their kill.

Reality check: no amount of playing music, shiny things spinning, you being in the yard, having a rooster, etc. will dissuade a hungry animal. The greatest hawk threat is during migration so I keep mine locked up during these peak times. And, there are weeks when I find a northern goshawk standing on the coop roof looking for a way into the run or next to the pinwheel by the baby coop lunging at the fence. Relentless.

Do whatever makes you feel better as some protection is better than none but ultimately you have to decide how you feel about occasional losses. It will happen.

 

[Chickassan]

It is just PVC so it is easy to cut or if you for whatever reason wanted it bigger you can join pieces with PVC plumbing parts. Using it as a frame opens up all kinds of options. I went with the yardgard fence over the netting because it is pretty sturdy and thick for what it is...plastic fence. The openings are only 1inch so it is pretty perfect.

I love it! I'm tempted to make up something like that as sort of a chicken tractor for roaming both with the little ones now and later when they're bigger. I can't stand up in a 5' height - which is a shame, I found out while shopping for feeder parts that they come as 10' lengths - but my daughter's only a bit over 5', might work.