When can they free range?

[Pineywoods Peepers]

My peeps are 8 weeks old today, and eventually I want to free range them for an hour or so in the evenings when I get off and during the day on the weekends. I have seen hawks in our area, and I hear at least 2 or 3 owls in the evening at dusk. We have pretty good shade tree cover in most of the yard, but there are some open grassy areas that the chicks will probably be drawn to. How big should they be before I allow them to free range, or should I avoid it because of the hawks and owls?

Thanks,

Rachel

 

[Ridgerunner]

Any time you let them free range, you take a chance with predator loss. I don't care how old they are. I let my brooder raised ones out at about 8 weeks and I have hawks around and have not had a loss. I also have a broody with 15 chick that have been out ranging since practically the beginning. I'm willing to accept that risk, realizing that something could happen at any time.

It's purely your choice. I can't help any more than that.