When can they be free?

[ShannonsChimkens]

Curious when others felt comfortable to let their mus be free. Mine are let out of their kennel into the outside chicken run at 7am. I’m home from work at 5pm and let them out to run into the 1 acre bird area for a few hours before bed.

At what size or age is it safe to let them be out all day unsupervised?

The area is completely fenced, so not concerned about them getting out. Electric fencing on top and outside to keep ground predators out. So birds of prey are the only concern. Bald eagles fly over daily. Have lost a few chickens to hawks, none to bald eagles yet.

They’re a little over 2 months old currently. Male is 10 days older than the female. Id say she’s the size of a very large rooster.

 

[sourland]

I'd wait a bit. I've seen a pair of eagles feeding on a snow goose.

 

[ShannonsChimkens]

Thank you. I’ll wait a few more weeks then. Rather not come home to an eagle having a snack.

 

[nao57]

:O

Chocobos are real!

XD

 

[Calla]

Hi I would not let them outside without me being there, working in my allotment next to their 10 x 12 newly cut grass run, till they are at least 8 -10 weeks old , magpies and carrion craws about, I turned my back once for just 10 min..true enough 1 baby emu was missing. They have heat lamp on inside, if they are cold, after coming out from the hatch to 6ft run inside to learn to walk or run lol once I am satisfied they eat and run well.
Food containers should always be in little or larger View attachment 2236401

View attachment 2236405birdfeeders placed on wall. Raise as they grow, Water in a corner deep straight ceramic pot to stop tipping it. They love a teddy and a small mirror on wall under heat lamp to see themselves,specially if only 1st 1st hatches.
Calla,

 

[ShannonsChimkens]

Another dilemma now, the emus are a pain in the you know what to put to bed! Does anyone just let them be at night time and decide where they feel like sleeping? They’re fenced in 1 acre, no ground predators. Would like to not stress them out trying to catch them every night.

I am definitely aware they live in the wild and don’t have little sleepy emu huts all over Australia. Mine just seem to sleep in the wide open in a corner of the yard, not under the cedar trees for cover.

Sun bathing...