What age to let chickens out to forage ?

[chickenboy190]

I made the mistake of letting my chicks lose too early because they wern't very tame and it took me like an hour to catch all of them.But they were fine running outside by themselves free range for a couple of hours with out being watched.

 

[Ariekannairb]

I guess I am out of the norm here. My goal is to raise free range chickens so I work towards that as quickly as possible. My first bunch when into the coop with a heat lamp at 3 weeks old. At this point I had already been letting them out to forage for several hours a day with supervision. After they spent about a week in the coop I started letting them out to forage on their own. They mostly stayed in and around the coop which is in a covered barn. As they got older they slowly started venturing out. They are about 13 weeks old now and free range full time when we are home and have a run for when we are not. We added two full grown RIR when the youngins were about 6 weeks old. They integrated peacefully and the older ones had no problem venturing to our tree line to forage and it didn't take long for the babies to figure out that they could get the best pickings in the composting leaves at the tree line. I have added 2 more times to that established flock, keep them in the coop for a week and then let them out full time. Yes, I have lost a few to predators, but if I am not free ranging I am defeating the purpose for which I got them. Free range organic eggs.

I recently purchased week olds and they have spent at least an hour a day outside foraging. I do my best to replicate, at least in part, how it would be if they had a mother hen to take them out. I also, after researching, have come to believe that being out, even at a young age, develops immunities and gives them "grit" via the dirt they pick up when they eat. You should see the excitement of a 2 week old chick who catches her first bug! She goes crazy and just runs around in circles. Even at a young age they love getting out there and scratching around, sun bathing and even having a dust bath. I watched 2 of them try to push each other out of a little hole they had dug and wanted to sleep in for nearly an hour yesterday. So funny!

 

[centrarchid]

I guess I am out of the norm here. My goal is to raise free range chickens so I work towards that as quickly as possible. My first bunch when into the coop with a heat lamp at 3 weeks old. At this point I had already been letting them out to forage for several hours a day with supervision. After they spent about a week in the coop I started letting them out to forage on their own. They mostly stayed in and around the coop which is in a covered barn. As they got older they slowly started venturing out. They are about 13 weeks old now and free range full time when we are home and have a run for when we are not. We added two full grown RIR when the youngins were about 6 weeks old. They integrated peacefully and the older ones had no problem venturing to our tree line to forage and it didn't take long for the babies to figure out that they could get the best pickings in the composting leaves at the tree line. I have added 2 more times to that established flock, keep them in the coop for a week and then let them out full time. Yes, I have lost a few to predators, but if I am not free ranging I am defeating the purpose for which I got them. Free range organic eggs.

I recently purchased week olds and they have spent at least an hour a day outside foraging. I do my best to replicate, at least in part, how it would be if they had a mother hen to take them out. I also, after researching, have come to believe that being out, even at a young age, develops immunities and gives them "grit" via the dirt they pick up when they eat. You should see the excitement of a 2 week old chick who catches her first bug! She goes crazy and just runs around in circles. Even at a young age they love getting out there and scratching around, sun bathing and even having a dust bath. I watched 2 of them try to push each other out of a little hole they had dug and wanted to sleep in for nearly an hour yesterday. So funny!

We had a light rain today. If I were to let mine out at three weeks, then I would stand to loose the entire lot. Hen reared, no such problems. By five weeks they can usually take all but the most intense rain events.

 

[riverguide101]

Anyone have a problem with their chickens going under a deck that u cant get under and layimg their eggs there??

 

[LoveChickens123]

yes you can we just started letting ours out at 13 weeks old so yeah

 

[Ariekannairb]

My littles sleep inside for at least 3 weeks. and our coop is covered on 3 sides and the roof so that helps a lot. Some water does get in, but it stays towards the front (very large coop) unless it is just a massive storm. The big ones got caught in the rain this morning and that did not go over well LOL. The squawks while running back into the coop were quite lively. They actually seem to enjoy some water in the coop as when it starts coming in they go crazy pecking and drinking. I would not let my babies out there in a big storm though unless I was completely sure they could stay dry and warm.

 

[dpuleo]

[COLOR=008000]I just wanted to let everyone know that yesterday afternoon, I put my big girl panties on,opened the coop door went and sat down . Then just watched. About 16 pullets came outside and just stayed with in 10 feet of the coop. My older one's the Buff Orpington and then the Black Jersey Giant's were next , Then came the EE. None of my GLW were interested in coming outside yesterday. But they did watch from the low roost I have next to the dusting boxes.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=008000]All in all it was a great afternoon just watching them. Will do it again today. I know they enjoy being out in the sun and being able to eat bugs and scratch around in the deep leaves of the forest.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=008000]Oh and they went in the coop all by themselves  didn't[/COLOR] [COLOR=008000]even have to shake the feed bucket. They just went in. I know it may not be the same next time. But one can hope.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=008000]Reading all the experiences of each and everyone of you has been informative and educational  all at the same time. Thanks for all the input about your coops and your routine's and your raising method's . It has been a pleasure to read all of them.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=008000]Thanks[/COLOR]
[COLOR=008000]Homestead Girl[/COLOR]

Sometimes it is hard putting on those big girl panties! Good job! One day the front door to the pen that has the coop in it closed maybe the wind or one of the kids did it. Anyways the girls where sitting at the door waiting for me to let them in!

 

[centrarchid]

Anyone have a problem with their chickens going under a deck that u cant get under and layimg their eggs there??

Yes, smaller predators can gain access and you will have limited options for protecting hen with brood. I rather have them out in open where I can place a pen over her at night.

 

[Reurra]

Quote:

Get some lattice and put it around the base of your porch, that should keep your birds from getting under there. Or use good old fashion chicken wire.

I have an old dog crate I take out of the coop on sunny days. I put water in it and put the chicks in it. The bottom tray comes out so they can eat all the grass and bugs they want. I also lay a sheet over half of it to make a shady spot in case they get over heated by the sun, they can hide under there. I use cloths line clips to keep the sheet on it.

 

[NestingHillsSC]

How do you keep hawks from harvesting small chicks? Mine at least require cover which you do not appear to have and / or some sort of hawk aggressive animal as guardian.

I have 2 Hawks that come flying around and will actually land just outside the area and look at them. The big Brahmas now almost 4 months old will come running right to them. Stupid birds. LOL. I've had chickens for 3 years now and never lost one yet. I'm sure it will be a matter of time. If you have chickens you most likely will lost a few here and there. Unless you cover a whole area. Which I have 4 areas and too many birds to do that. So actually I just let mother nature play out. How ever you want to take that. But so far like I said, I have been lucky. A fox came by twice out there too. But can't get in. Hung a few sweaty t's and haven't seen him back.