I have 5 9-week old chicks who have been happily living in their coop & run for 4 weeks now. They have never been allowed out onto the lawn, but they get TONS of fruit, veggie and lawn scraps as well as bugs. The run is about 12 x 12.
The questions are:
1. Do I need to let them free range? I do want healthy eggs and chickens...are scraps enough? Can they live in the run forever?
2. If it's a good idea to let them into the yard, are they old enough? Or should I just wait until they are actually laying?
3. How do I do it the first time? I'm thinking of opening the door of the run about an hour before bedtime so that they will go back in when it's time. I am nervous about having to chase them all over the yard to get them back in. Or, maybe just sending out 2 so that they don't stray too far?
Any tips or varying opinions would be appreciated!
The questions are:
1. Do I need to let them free range? I do want healthy eggs and chickens...are scraps enough? Can they live in the run forever?
2. If it's a good idea to let them into the yard, are they old enough? Or should I just wait until they are actually laying?
3. How do I do it the first time? I'm thinking of opening the door of the run about an hour before bedtime so that they will go back in when it's time. I am nervous about having to chase them all over the yard to get them back in. Or, maybe just sending out 2 so that they don't stray too far?
Any tips or varying opinions would be appreciated!