When should Freedom Rangers be allowed to range with freedom?

[Mosherd1]

So this is my first go around with chickens....I have read that chicks should be kept in brooders for 3 weeks before being able to forage outside. I am not sure if that is for heritage breeds or if it would apply to Freedom Rangers. Mine are about a week and a half old. Also, I keep meat rabbits and was wondering if I could fence in under the rabbit cages and let them peck through the pine shavings and manure to go after the bugs. I would still have the heat lamp available should they need to go under it. What are your thoughts on them starting ranging at this age either outside or at least under rabbit cages? Thanks!

 

[vsmenagerie]

I put my broilers out at one week. They LOVE the grass and now, when I move their tractor, they all flock to the new grass. Its been warm here so I had the light out for night only. I have 50 Cornish and 11 red rangers. All growing awesome! And foraging really well.

 

[Mosherd1]

When you have them out in the tractor, do they have just an overhang for cover or do you actually close them in a "coop" like structure or just staying in the tractor fenced in?

 

[vsmenagerie]

The end is fully enclosed but I do not shut them in. they put themselves to bed in the enclosed area though. I have the wire doubled all along the bottom. I used the same tractor for my layers last year.

 

[mstricer]

You can put them out now. The weather is warm enough during the day. I would though, live them in the tractor for the first few days. They are a pain to get to go to bed unless, you let them do it themselves, then go out and lock them up.