Can 7 week old chicks free range?

[Oldhenhens]

I have 70 chickens. 35 already in the coop and I recently moved another 35 chicks into the coop a week ago. The babies are 7 weeks old now. When can I let them free range with the rest of the flock? Thanks!

 

[Percheron chick]

I prefer to wait until they get a bit bigger. More like 3 months old. They can be hard to find and they don't have a strong flock sense. You might be spending an hour every night rounding them up. Get them out in a secure run for now.

 

[Oldhenhens]

I prefer to wait until they get a bit bigger. More like 3 months old. They can be hard to find and they don't have a strong flock sense. You might be spending an hour every night rounding them up. Get them out in a secure run for now.

That is what I worry about. It’s a big fenced area. I don’t want to chase chicks everywhere. My Anatolian Shepherd is there to protect. He slept outside the chick’s door every night and his dog house is next to the intermediate coop. We call it. “The Duplex”!
My last batch of chicks weren’t as adventurous or curious. This group is ready to go go go!!! Plus they have become more attached to me than the last ones. They want to follow me everywhere as if I am mama.

 

[agold23]

I only have 6 who completely free range of various ages but my youngest is almost 9 weeks. It’s mother died before she drove it away so we think it’ll take a bit longer for it to find its place in the flock. I agree with what others have been saying and it’s flick sense is not very good and it tends to stay by itself. If you can keep them in a run I’m sure it’d save you time trying to get them back in at night.

Here’s little Phoebe waiting to come back inside when all the rest of the flock are putting themselves to bed. Phoebe lived in the house in a dog kennel for about 3 weeks because it would’ve been too stressful for it to be separate while we were treating it’s mom.

Gorgeous lgd by the way!

 

[Oldhenhens]

I only have 6 who completely free range of various ages but my youngest is almost 9 weeks. It’s mother died before she drove it away so we think it’ll take a bit longer for it to find its place in the flock. I agree with what others have been saying and it’s flick sense is not very good and it tends to stay by itself. If you can keep them in a run I’m sure it’d save you time trying to get them back in at night.

View attachment 2818186
Here’s little Phoebe waiting to come back inside when all the rest of the flock are putting themselves to bed. Phoebe lived in the house in a dog kennel for about 3 weeks because it would’ve been too stressful for it to be separate while we were treating it’s mom.

Gorgeous lgd by the way!

Thank you!