When can I expect to see the chicks roaming?

[Carli]

We just had two hatch in the last 24 hours. They're with their mama in an outdoor brooder. I read that even at very low temps, chicks can be seen 'playing' out from under mama for short periods of time. Just curious when they will get a bit adventurous?

 

[faykokoWV]

I've never had chicks hatch under a broody, but I know here at home they get pretty adventurous after the first 48 hours. Under a broody they might wait until she starts moving around.

 

[PatS]

You may see them as early as Sunday. Even if they don't run far, they'll peep out through her feathers. By Monday, Tuesday, they'll boldly go where no chicks have gone before.

We had a cold spring last year and even when it was in the high 30s, low 40s, the several day old chicks would run all over the place. Run, play, run back to mom to warm up, run, play, repeat...

 

[NonnasBabies]

As soon as my broody hatched all that were going to hatch and she took care of what was left

is when she started getting up and scratching around and wanted to be let out the coop. So I'd say the first one hatched on a Friday they last on Sunday or early Monday and by Tuesday she was gearing to get out and the babies were right there with her. We had one morning that it got down in the low 20's and when I opened the coop it was 28 and the babies were running around like it was nothing too it!!

 

[Judy]

Usually mama keeps them under her for 24 hours or a bit longer. Remember they survive on the yolk for 72 hours. Then she'll leave any unhatched eggs and start teaching them to eat and drink. Mine were running all over the coop at one week, all day long, going under mama at night only. This is a large, breezy coop.