What age to free range?

[spatulagirl]

My very first post!

We have seven 5/6 week old pullets (our first chickens). They have been going outside into the coop/run during the day and I bring them inside to the kennel at night. In a week or two I will move them out there full time. The coop is an open air design that will be closed off during our few months of winter. So the plan is to let them mostly free range and only in the coop/run when we are not around or at night.

I was wondering how old they should be before they are allowed to free range?

 

[Gonzo]

Hi!
I'm not real sure, I would make sure they're familar with where their coop is. Hopefully someone more experience will chime in!

 

[Happy Chooks]

Keep them locked in their coop for a while so they know it's "home".

I don't free range mine until they are about 16 weeks old. (Large fowl - you have to be more careful if they are bantams) When they are small, they are hawk bait.

 

[Ridgerunner]

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Quote:
Agreed. I'll put them in the run about 7 to 8 weeks, but I want them older before I let them free range. If you already have a free ranging flock, especially with a good rooster who has proven to be a good lookout, I would not be as concerned, but on their own, I wait.

 

[spatulagirl]

Thanks for the welcome and answers! I'll wait another month or so. Mostly I am concerned about cats, including my own. I do not have an established flock so I will definitely wait.