Chick safety question

[doublebowgoats]

I know every situation is different but I have been wondering when to let the month-old chicks here  free-range with their mommas. The cats sit outside the coop every day staring at them. The coop is 8ft by10ft and well-ventilated. So I guess I am also wondering if it would hurt anything to just let them stay in the coop until they are a few months old.

[helmstead]

I keep mine in the brooding pen for at least 8 weeks...

[doublebowgoats]

Okay that is good to know. I didn't want to stunt their development by keeping them in too long but I don't want the kitties to help themselves to  a chicken dinner either.

[doublebowgoats]

Well, the best laid plans and all that. I had to lock my entire flock up last night in the broody coop because of owls and skunks. When I went to let them out this morning they all came out even the little ones. I tried to get them to go back in but their mothers ran out and called them. I have been out watching them all morning to make sure the cats don't bother them. So far they don't seem to have noticed they are out .

[Little Farmer Debi]

my cat never messes with my chickens or chicks.
he gets in with them but just lays with them.
he sometimes sleeps in the hen house during the day,
causing a big ruckus when the girls want to lay an egg in the nest hes sleeping in !!!

[Chaty]

I keep the young chickens penned up till they are almost 5 mths old before turning out to free range. I also take babies away from momma hen as the hens wander and dont want predators to take them away. We have hawks and other stuff that just swoop down and take off with smaller chickens...yep better safe than miss some..

[doublebowgoats]

Debi, he just likes to hang out with the ladies, huh? Your cat is a special guy!
Kathy. I definitely need to do something else with these little ones. The cats are leaving them alone but there is a hawk who keeps eying the flock. I didn't expect those little chickens to rush out the door like that this morning.

[Chaty]

  Yep they are fast little stinkers...been there...Mine learn just fine without the mother and are tamer also...thats why I also take tehm from mom...

[doublebowgoats]

I noticed that the moms are teaching them to be afraid of me so I would like to separate them also. Didn't want to damage their emotions though LOL!

[Chaty]

Thats 1 reason to remove the mom and keep the babies penned up...they will get to where they will swarm your legs when you go into feed tehm...mine do. My grandson just loves it when they come running...