When are my girls old enough to free range?

[padutchgirl]

I just put my 6 older girls (they are 6 week old Ameraucanas) in the coup 2 days ago. How long should I leave them in there before I can let them out. Tonight they just started flying up to the roosting box my husband built, which I was so happy about, but I'm just not sure they are old enough to free range yet. Help - I'm a new and nervous mommy!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Do you have a run?

 

[padutchgirl]

no, I just have the coup, but the yard is fenced in. I live on 15 acres, and we have about 1/2 acre fenced where I have the coup. Do I need to build a run?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

no, I just have the coup, but the yard is fenced in. I live on 15 acres, and we have about 1/2 acre fenced where I have the coup. Do I need to build a run?

Not necessarily. I generally keep my chicks confined for 5-7 days than I start letting them out. They won't go far for a while until they become more comfortable. By 4 months generally they are everywhere.

You may want to consider a smaller secure run for instances where you are having a predator problem, or to make it easier to round them up if necessary.

 

[padutchgirl]

Thank you so much! I don't think we have predator issues, but who knows. we just moved here a few months ago, so no telling what is lurking on the property that my dogs haven't found yet.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Thank you so much! I don't think we have predator issues, but who knows. we just moved here a few months ago, so no telling what is lurking on the property that my dogs haven't found yet.

Chickens will draw these in sometimes. Everything likes to eat chickens. My bantams have a run but my big breeds don't. We accept losses and deal with predators as they crop up.

 

[Rooster G]

I let them have access to the outside world, if they choose, at one week. They still have access to heat if they want it. I let them choose.

 

[WhiteWyan]

Since your babies are recently transplanted to a new home (no longer in brooder) I think it's best to keep them locked in for 3-5 days so they recalibrate to where "home" is. Once you have them in there for a while I think you can free range them.

Personally I kept mine in a fenced in area until they were 5 months old. But we had older chickens and didn't want them to intermingle just yet at that point.

 

[alfalahi]

please release the chicken , dont put them behind bars for long time

I just put my 6 older girls (they are 6 week old Ameraucanas) in the coup 2 days ago. How long should I leave them in there before I can let them out. Tonight they just started flying up to the roosting box my husband built, which I was so happy about, but I'm just not sure they are old enough to free range yet. Help - I'm a new and nervous mommy!