when to allow free ranging?

[JordanFarm]

So my 6 week old chicks are getting really nosy about going beyond their stall - the big girls have actually been less interested in roaming lately, and everyone is getting along inside. 4 of the youngsters are very interested in me - they want to sit on my lap or perch on my arm. The other 2 (one turned out to be a boy) hang together. The 9 of them have a 20x12 horse stall with lots of light, pine shavings and places to perch so they are not crowded but I"m sure it's boring.

The bigs will follow me if they are outside and I want them to come in I just call and rattle a plastic bag - that means treats of some kind. Will the littles also do this? I am thinking they really are not quite big enough to be wandering around outside just yet but boy are they curious about what's beyond the stall door.

Advice?

 

[Redfisher1997]

You can start off slow, for my chicks and turkey i would let them out with a chicken wire fence around them and I also in the fence with them so they learn to be with me during ‘free range’ time until I feel they are ready for the real thing. If you have never let them outside in the grass try this they love it and will bond with you better for it

 

[wobit]

Another thought is to permit their exploration in the late afternoon, when their instincts will tell them to stay near their familiar home.