What age to let chicks free range?

[waterbrat]

I have been letting mine free range when I get home from work in the evenings and weekends. They run the yard in a pack and always come back to

the coop for treats. I was freaked at first but then I realized they come back when you call them or offer treats.

 

[komakit]

I hatched these babies. No Momma Hen to look after them! They are about 8 weeks old now. Can I trust they will go back to their pen if I let them out??

Yes they will go back in. But, put a light in the coop and when its bedtime they will one by one wander in and settle down for the night. They really dont have anywhere else to go and you and the coop are infact their entire world right now. Ive had some free range as soon as they were feathered enough to handle the temp outside. As for the other birds, they arent out to kill babies. However, all birds have a pecking order and they learn where they fit in early. It cuts down on the need for real conflict later in life for everyone.(Including you). Good luck. And dont worry.

 

[Char Hanson]

I have 5 layers and 1 rooster. They are free range and do well. I also have 28 broilers. I want to free range the broilers and they are 4 weeks old now. Do I need to keep them in a run for a few days before I let them range or will they be ok if the other 6 are out???

 

[wali]

Can I set my 1 week chick free with his mother in ground ,but their was eagles and crows in trees

 

[josher57]

I started letting mine out around 4/7 weeks (we have a mixed bag). At first they stayed right around the coop. I'd only let them out for 10-15 min at a time. Over time, I would let them out for longer and they would venture further away. I used a broom to help corral them back towards the coop. Now, when they see me get the broom. They know where to go.

 

[BruceAZ]

i don't know how old they are from this picture// but when my family brought them home they are already this big..

they stayed in the cardboard box at night (inside the house) and in the temporary pen like this during the day until my chicken/coop is ready to move in

 

[wali]

Please help my 2 week chick was in critical condition in the day he was alright but at night he was unable to stand on his legs and he always seen fall in cage but he eats and drink but know his left wing was also have problem any help

 

[wali]

 

[Blooie]

I brood chicks outdoors in a pen within the run from the beginning. By 3 weeks old they've already had the door to their brooder open and are mingling with the Bigs. They go in and out of the coop and run at will, and if they get spooked or chilled they head back to their brooder by themselves. Sure, they get a few pecks from time to time - it's part of the learning process. And by 4 weeks they are evicted from the brooder and integrated with the Bigs full time. At that point they watch the Bigs put themselves away in the coop for the night and just naturally follow them.


In the run with the Bigs....they are about 4 weeks old here.


Outside with the Bigs....

 

[wali]

Help me my chick is in pain