When can I let the girls out?

[chickybrink]

We have 15 chicks of various breeds that are approximately 7-8 weeks old. We have a huge barn and have sectioned off a portion for their run and it has the nesting boxes. They have been in there for about a week and a half. At what age can we let them outside to free range? And when we do, how close of an eye do I have to keep watch? I have grown so attached to them and really don't want anything to happen to them! By the way, this is my first go at raising backyard chickens so any/all advice is appreciated!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Open the door and let them out. Let them choose when they want to.
A hen will take her brood out the second or third day.

 

[Ebal]

Know I am on my first batch.... 16 - All hens and 6-7 weeks old. I have had some guinneas and used the same technique with my chicks thus far. -

I had in a brooder for 3 weeks
Then in coop (with heat lamp) 1 week.
Then short 1 hour per day in a fenced run each day for a week - Would have to put them back in coop after recess.
Then Open coop with free access to run for about a week ... all day. They stayed in and out of coop to run. Mostly run.

This week I am letting about half of my chicks out of run late afternoon to free range and explore for hour or two each evening. I have 4 varieties and to make sure all have a turn I try to let out 2 varieties on day and two the next. A little difficult. I leave the other 8 in the run thinking the released ones wont range far with others in the run to attract them back. Worked great so far. I open gate to run just before dusk and most of the released chicks march right back in to be with their mates. Have had to chase a couple around to get back to run and coop at night.

I had all chicks and no hen to bring the brood back.

 

[shmccarthy]

Personally I don't let my birds free range until they are full grown because of how many predators we have.
But I still keep a really close eye on the adults. I don't leave the house to go anywhere with them out and I keep the back door open so I can keep an eye on them and hear if anything happens.
My pullets are really anxious to go out but they have to wait a little longer.

 

[chickybrink]

Thanks for the reply. Your response is helpful. I have to decided what I want to do though, because I don't have an outdoor run. Their run is inside the barn. They will have access to the outside but it will not be an enclosed space. I wonder if I should just put up a small temporary fence. Again, thanks for the info!