[janeheritage]

Hi, my 3 chicks are 5 weeks old on Wednesday.

They are eager to go out with the big girls on free range (and so is Mum, needless to say). But they only weigh about 250g and I fear they could still be prey to cats/crows etc.

When do you think it will be safe to let them out unaccompanied?

Many thanks all!

[joyfull]

Mine free ranged with their mum from two weeks (only advisable for those with their mum not those hatched in an incy) but as we are on a crows flight path early in the morning and again at dusk I made sure that they were either in their runs at that time or that I was outside with them. 

[janeheritage]

Two weeks? Wow! Perhaps I am worrying about nothing?! 

[joyfull]

you will find mum is very very protective, mine even charged my mastiff when she got too close  . Just make sure they have lots of covered areas to go where mum can sit with them underneath her if there are any dangers. Mum must be going frantic to have a run around.

[janeheritage]

I have let them all out today and mum is very happy, babies too!

Having said that they had the run of the run (if you see what I mean) while the big birdies were out on free range, and it is 5m square so she could stretch her legs a bit. But the garden is best!