Introducing Chicks to the Outside Worldfeatured

It’s a very dangerous world out there if you’re just a little chick. Introducing your chicks to the outside world can be very intimidating, especially after playing surrogate parent to your flock for many weeks. There are several important steps you should take to ensure a smooth transition from their brooder to their permanent hen house. Fear not – moving them to the great outdoors is easier than you think!

Use a Small Outdoor Enclosure

Start their outdoor adventures by introducing them to a small, enclosed area. The chicks can scratch around in the grass and peck the ground. The enclosure can be a screened-in porch, a fenced-in garden, or even a large dog kennel. The enclosed area gives your chicks a safe space to explore and get used to their new environment. Cover your enclosure to ensure flying predators (like Hawks) don’t get any big ideas! At Grace and Hope Farm, we use a small collapsible dog pen with hawk netting on the top. PRO TIP – The sun can be awful strong some days. Include a towel or some other opaque covering over part of the enclosure so your girls can keep away from the sun when they get too hot.

Start their adventures by taking them out for a few minutes at a time and gradually increasing the amount of time they spend outside as they get used to their new surroundings. Our chicks loved their outings! We gave the hens insect snacks and let them get used to pecking and scratching for them in the grass. 

Look for Fully Feathered Chickens

You can introduce your chicks to their permanent outdoor environment when they have all their feathers and are at least 8 weeks old. This will ensure they are big enough to fend off predators and are able keep warm in cold temperatures. You will need to make sure they have plenty of access to food, water, and shelter. Provide them with a safe place to sleep, plenty of feed and water, and a secure hiding spot should they feel threatened. You can use hawk netting in areas where airborne predators are a problem.

If you’re introducing them into an existing flock, you will need to take some extra precautions. Allow the older hens to see the youngsters in a safe way. Setting up the chick’s playpen in the chicken yard is a great way to accomplish this. Both the chicks and the hens can see and smell each other. Over a few days of regular visits, the older hens will become accustomed to the newcomers.

It is best to do the final move of the chicks at bedtime. Adding them to the coop at night when the hens are asleep will smooth the way forward. Hopefully, everyone will wake up as one big happy family! Keep a close eye on them for a few days to ensure there isn’t any extreme bullying. Don’t be alarmed if there is some pecking as they establish the new pecking order.

By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to raising a healthy, happy flock of chickens that can enjoy the outdoors!