What age to let chicks free range?

[Blooie]

Help me my chick is in pain

I would suggest that you post in here:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/10/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures

They'll need a lot more detail to offer any advice - age of the chick, diet, housing, symptoms, even the kind of chick can make a difference. For instance, I had a chick hatch that I thought had spraddle legs, only to find out that in the Silkies or other short legged breeds it's not unusual for them to take a day or so to get their feet under them. Good luck!!

 

[Karengeorgina]

What about predators with baby chicks?

 

[Kmarkee]

I have a broody with 3 week old chicks in the big coop already. Do you think they will accept 6 week old chicks too if I open the he door between the brooder and the run? They’ve been able to see each other for about 3 weeks now They free range all day, the big ones and the broody, but I haven’t let the little guys out yet. They don’t have a broody mom to watch over them. But they are begging to get out and I feel bad keeping them cooped up. There’s 6 of them.

 

[Gottahavemall]

I have just gotten 27 new babies chicks. I too am wondering about letting them out. The house I have is above ground with and enclosed lower pen area. There are 10 RIR's and 2 Silver Wyandottes, and the rest are Silkies. I am concerned because the RIR's are sooo much bigger than the Silkies and they seem to be pretty feisty. The Wyandottes seem ok with the silkies though. Should I separate the reds from the rest and/or can they all go in the pen together?

I have silkies and I think they do best on their own. Now the other chickens mostly ignore them but they are often picked on when trying to feed. I also have wyandottes and RiR.

 

[Wrkber]

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

If they are being raised by a mama hen, she will protect them and call them to her when danger appears.

 

[Grondel Farm]

At what age can you let hand raised chicks out of the coop to free range and trust they will come back? I have my coops separated by age/size. I would like to rotate who gets out to free range! I can't let them all out at the same time. The bigger ones will pick on the smaller ones!
I know the smaller ones are itching for their turn to kick around!
So...whats a safe age??

To IGMom, I've had no issues raising banties and standards together. No need to separate. And Welcome!!

Re: the original Q, I let mine go out when they are about 8 weeks. They spend one or two weeks completely in the coop/run.

The first time I let them range they get out about an hour before sunset. That way they will go in quickly and I can watch the whole scene. Every day I extend it a bit, letting them out earlier and earlier.

Good luck!

Great suggestion! My first time and I'm worried about the hawks, so i need to be around when they are out. So they are 17 weeks old, have scratched their run clean, and need to be out for insects and greens. Giving them organic greens is costly!!! Now i can gradually watch to be sure they go in on their own or guide if necessary. Thank you.