When can I let the chicks loose in the house/run?

[HollyTree]

I have 10 Rhode Island Red chicks that are about 10-12 weeks old. I am keeping them in a small coop inside the hen house. They are not fully feathered out. In the hen house I have 8 other chickens. Since one started crowing this week, I know one is a cockerell (W. Leghorn and he seems to be nice.) I think they are about 3 months? I don't know. I was thinking about letting out the little RIR hens, but I'm weary now that I have a cockerell on my hands. I would like suggestions when I can let the little RIR's out of the coop to join all the others. I would be sooooo sad if they got pecked to death.

 

[trilyn]

I would go ahead and let them out now, I have RIR's the same age and they are feathered out. In fact, they will feather faster if they're also let outdoors. Fresh air and sunshine do wonders, if they have a run-by all means let them out into it. The sooner the better!