What age to allow chicks to roam the yard?

[mwells6chicks]

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 keep mine in a run attached to coop until about 6 weeks. They are by then scratching, eating bugs and greens. Then I let them run in the yard for 20 minutes at a time, then I heard them in with a broom or staff. After about a week of this, they get the idea of where they belong. But I'm always watch them.

 

[mwells6chicks]

I keep mine in a run attached to coop until about 6 weeks. They are by then scratching, eating bugs and greens. Then I let them run in the yard for 20 minutes at a time, then I heard them in with a broom or staff. After about a week of this, they get the idea of where they belong. But I'm always watch them.

Autocorrect, ugh. Lol

 

[Thomas70]

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 a stay at home fur, fin, and feather mom. I can set one of those up in minutes tomorrow! Thank you!![/QUOTE]
If it had wheels it would be much easier to move with the chickens in it.

 

[schradersl]

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've done it at 3-4 weeks also. I have a portable run that keeps them corralled - but they love chasing insects and picking at the grass. They get a few hours per day if not too hot. Also provide water.

 

[jspeese]

I'd say it depends on the weather, the weather prognosis, daytime and nighttime temperatures, and whether or not they were raised under a brooder lamp or a hen. I've let hens with newly hatched chicks roam the yard and they've done fine. The mother hen wouldn't let the other flock mates bother them. In the summer I've let 4 week old chicks out (in a pen with a top), making sure that they all learned how to use the pophole to get in and out of the coop as needed. And keeping an eye on the weather. Young chicks are small, so I wouldn't let them free range if hawks and cats are around.

 

[csorenson1]

I think chicks can eat grass and bugs at any age. The biggest issue is predators, integrating with older chickens, and getting them used to going back in their house at night. My chicks went out to the hen house at 3 weeks after I read an excellent article on this website about creating a heating pad den for warmth and providing protection from the hens until they are old enough to fend for themselves. It has worked so much better than keeping them in a box with a heat lamp. At first I gave them outings in the grass in a dog cage lined with chicken wire, with a small box for shade along with their regular food and water. Then at 5 weeks I created a separate door in the hen house that leads to a protected fenced enclosure in an adjacent grassy patch. But I keep an eye on them since we have hawks, snakes, foxes, and cats in the area. I hope that helps.

 

[so lucky]

It would be a good idea to train the chickens to come running when you shake a treat can or cup with scratch feed, which they love as a treat. You can get them into the chicken run quickly if they think they are getting a treat.
Also, if they are going to free range, make sure there are shrubs or structures they can hide under/behind in case a hawk or eagle zones in on them.
My babies, at two weeks, naturally run to a corner and hunker down if they are startled, so it's not something they have to learn.
And, you will want to leave wings unclipped, so they have a chance to escape other predators. You'd be surprised how well some chickens can fly.

 

[Lavender Wraps]

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

 

[Lavender Wraps]

My Banties are in a large run attached to the chicken house. I have a drop down door that I raise and close outside the chicken house (pulley type). When it's time for them to be put up and there's one that wants to stay out longer, I just grab the broom that's in barn hallway, wave it a couple of times. Now I'm outside of the pen doing this, it's hilarious to see just how fast she can get inside, lol! I've NEVER swatted any of my chickens so not sure just what makes them afraid of the broom.

My layers are free range and I've never lost any to hawks although they'll sit on the fence post and watch them. I do worry about the little hens so they come out of their run when I have the time to watch the air for them. It's helpful to have a place they can run to. I watch them go to hiding place to hiding place very quickly until they are where they will graze, sun, dust bathe and such.

The layers favorite place to rest is under our car hauler. The barns are a good distance from the house. When I come out and the hens spot me, they come running and flapping their wings in anticipation that I may be bringing they a treat. They love blueberries, cantaloupe, watermelon, grapes and bread just to name a few. When the layers were younger they would take flight and glide a long distance to reach me. It must be love, lol! Love for treats!

 

[Lavender Wraps]

I use Bantams to raise my chicks. When one starts sitting I remove her eggs and replace with artificial eggs. I don't like my hens to sit for 3 weeks so I give them chicks at about two weeks of sitting. I purchase chicks from a reputational feed store (hoping most are pullets). At night I remove the artificial eggs and put the chicks under the hen. She is so happy the next morning to see what she has, lol! Works every time. She guards them with her life.