When can they be let out in the yard?

[LegginMF12]

All my experience with chickens were chicks raised by their momma's. When ever my parents got new chickens they just turned them loose in the yard. My chicks are 5 wk (= or - a few days) and have been in the coop for two weeks. They lived in the garage for 3 wks because they weren't supposed to come until June but They arrived 3 days after i ordered them and I wasn't ready for them. I have 5 acres fenced. When can I turn them loose in the yard with a reasonable expectation that they will return to their coop at night. They are dying to get out of the coop right now. LOL

 

[sonew123]

Quote:
I would pick a weekend or when you are home all day . Just let them out-but monitor them....at dusk start doing a head count to make sure you can see them all. You may have to heard them into the coop yourself the first few night but they will get it shortly. Or an hour before dusk let them out-they wont wander far at all-each day increase their free range time...with each day they'll wander farther away from coop exploring-it usually takes about a week for them to "get it". good luck

 

[LegginMF12]

Update on letting them out. I started about a week ago. I propped open the door on the coop and let 'em at it . they stayed about three feet from the door all day. After a week they go a little further than that but all they do is hide under the bushes unless I walk out there then they run to me. To get them in the coop at night I just grab a cup an walk into the coop calling "here pewpews". They love it! I find it funny when I walk out in the yard and all of sudden a bush tuns into 12 little chicks running to me. LOL

 

[Jferlisi]

Ya mine did the same thing when i first started letting them out but unless they have a momma i dont let them free range till about 2-3 months cause we have a bad hawk problem here.

btw

 

[sonew123]

Quote:
awesome...glad it worked out!!!!