When to let chicks freerange

[Ann1986]

My wyandotte bantam chicks are now 5 weeks old almost.



They are with there moms since week 1 in an enclosed pen around their house. With bird nets over it.

I wonder, when can I let them freerange in their entire territory? I just wonder for predator birds and cats maybe (although we never saw cats hurting chickens before and dont see them in our garden).
The only predator birds around here are buzzards. But I havent seen them for a long time now.

 

[CollegeChicken]

in general buzzards ( or vultures I assume you mean) are not attack predators the way hawks and eagles are. They are more scavenger type and dont generally kill chickens...with that being said baby chicks are more susceptible to predators like stray cats etc because of their small size and quick movements. Chicks tend to trigger the predatory response more because of this, especially in cats I would think, and certain birds of prey. I live in NJ and I have a problem with hawks. So much so that it caused me to sour on my pigeon keeping hobby and just stick to chickens. My chickens seem to be more aware of the hawks and better at hiding, warning eachother etc. I have silky hen who has been free ranging with her chicks since they were four days old. The fourth morning after they were born I woke up and they were all out on the back lawn chasing around after their mama and learning how to scratch in the grass etc. So far I havent had a problem even with my own cat who lounges around the property.... ( usually mother hens are very protective...silkies are one of the MOST protective breeds as mothers ) You know your area better than we do. If you think the risk of predation is low then let them out! A NOTE TO ALL LIVESTOCK KEEPERS: If you want a GUARANTEE that your chicks or chickens or pigeons or fowl or WHATEVER you raise will stay safe then keep them locked up their whole lives and never let them out..no matter what otherwiase you are taking a risk. For some the risk is higher than others. ... confined life might be 'ok' depending on coop size etc but I would never have chickens and not let them out at least once a day, unless of course you live in a place where theyd become an immediate snack for a hungry predator. Hope this helped.

 

[Ann1986]

in general buzzards ( or vultures I assume you mean) are not attack predators the way hawks and eagles are. They are more scavenger type and dont generally kill chickens...with that being said baby chicks are more susceptible to predators like stray cats etc because of their small size and quick movements. Chicks tend to trigger the predatory response more because of this, especially in cats I would think, and certain birds of prey. I live in NJ and I have a problem with hawks. So much so that it caused me to sour on my pigeon keeping hobby and just stick to chickens. My chickens seem to be more aware of the hawks and better at hiding, warning eachother etc. I have silky hen who has been free ranging with her chicks since they were four days old. The fourth morning after they were born I woke up and they were all out on the back lawn chasing around after their mama and learning how to scratch in the grass etc. So far I havent had a problem even with my own cat who lounges around the property.... ( usually mother hens are very protective...silkies are one of the MOST protective breeds as mothers ) You know your area better than we do. If you think the risk of predation is low then let them out! A NOTE TO ALL LIVESTOCK KEEPERS: If you want a GUARANTEE that your chicks or chickens or pigeons or fowl or WHATEVER you raise will stay safe then keep them locked up their whole lives and never let them out..no matter what otherwiase you are taking a risk. For some the risk is higher than others. ... confined life might be 'ok' depending on coop size etc but I would never have chickens and not let them out at least once a day, unless of course you live in a place where theyd become an immediate snack for a hungry predator. Hope this helped.

Ok thanks

No we don't have a lot of predators. But just to be sure I am going to wait another week or 2. The moms are both very protective of the babies.

 

[QueenBubbles]

At 5 weeks my 2 were out in a fenced area and they were very capable of scaring off my cats by flapping wings at them. Well, my Brahma flaps his wings and my EE pecks. I think that with their mom guarding them, they should be fine as long as there are good hiding places. Good luck!

 

[Traphill]

My 5 week olds slipped out when I was changing water in the run today when I came back they were scared that they were out and there were several big chickens lurking about ...they ran back in the run as fast as they could! I read my chicken diary and I had let my first flock out at this time but I don't think that this bunch is ready yet they are too flighty and scared I would be afraid that they would fly over the fence into my neighbors yard and I won't find them. Maybe each flock is different when to start them free ranging and you have to just watch them and then decide what is the best time and then I make sure that I am out in the garden to monitor what is going on

 

[Bayrider16]

Buzzards will only eat dead animals, they wont kill. I let my babies free range when they have their full set of feathers and dont need their heat lamp. If they have their mother with them, they could free range even earlier than that. My three month olds just got introduced to the outdoors about three weeks ago.