When to let Hens free range?

[wkuhlman]

My hens are right around 10 weeks old. They have been in their coop/run for about 4 weeks. When is it okay to let them out to free range a little? I only plan on doing this supervised in the evening before dusk. I am afraid if I do this too early they won't come back in and I certainly do not want to leave them free all night. Thank you!

 

[Mylied]

Where I live, never. The hawks are out of control. They will swoop down even when I'm out. So they are in covered runs full time. I wish I could free range them, but it's not worth the trouble. And when it's not the hawks, it's the stray dogs, the opossums, the raccoons, and a couple of my pigs if they get in the pig pen.

 

[jojorose8]

I think it depends on where you
live and your comfort level. I let my 6 week olds free range whenever I'm home and check on them every now and then. They don't leave my lawn. Do you have a lot of predators or dogs off leash? Will they return to the coop at night? Ideally, they will return to the coop just before sunset.

 

[6hensJen]

I let mine free range at 10 weeks supervised in an enclosed backyard (100'x100') I Trained them to come running by shaking a bag of dried mealworms (they go nuts for them but be sparing) and shouting "chook chooks!" Now they come running whenever I just call them, wherever they are. Mine are 15 weeks and they love being out!

 

[blackdog043]

Exactly what 6hens said. Mine go nuts for meal worms also. All I have to do is shake the bag or call them now and they come running. I throw a few meal worms in the coop and shut the door. Mine are 14 weeks now but started about 10 weeks old. I let them free range in the yard when I'm home.