When should you let chicks outside?

[CharlotteRenee]

Hi, I have seen a lot of things on backyard chickens about when you should let chicks out, I have seen 10 weeks,6 weeks,16 weeks and I have no idea what I should do.

 

[Chickenshoe]

based on what I've read about it, when their feathers have come in, they can go outside... mine are about 4 weeks old, one if 5 weeks, the 5 week old is fully feathered, the rest about 75%
my plan is to move em outside come end of the month.... the ladies are getting louder and flying around now,, time to get them outside in their new home is coming soon

 

[CharlotteRenee]

OK thanks! We think we are going to build the coop so we want to make it before we get the chicks,so it may be awhile before we get them.

 

[0die]

when is it ok to let them wander the backyard? I has them in the coop at 3 weeks and they are very happy it seems...but I want to let them free range the yard eventually...what is general rule for that age?

 

[Chickenshoe]

As long as they know where home is..letting em range is prob ok..you would not want to let them loose without first keeping them in the house for bout a week first...

 

[0die]

I'm concerned about safety...If I'm watching them no problem but the intention is to let them free range the backyard while I'm doing other stuff around the house. Eventually they will be left outside all day while I'm at work but I guess that won't be until they are full grown and too big for the neighborhood cats to mess with.

fortunately my cat has shown zero interest in the tiny chickens

 

[Chickenshoe]

your instincts are correct...wait till they are full grown for the all day ranging..even now while they are smaller, while you are standing there a hawk can swoop in and all you will see is a puff of feathers and goodbye chicken... that's not as likely to happen with they are full grown.. not sure how many hawks can pick up a 6-8lb bird when the hawk only weighs a few pounds themselves,, as much as we humans tend to "humanize" chicks and chickens they are still just chickens,, fair game for a predator looking for a meal...

 

[0die]

my biggest concern is possums...I've trapped a few biggies in the backyard before...but not caught any lately...guess my trapping program went well...