when can i let chicks out

[ktlawson]

Hi. I found this site while browsing & liked what I saw. As well as registering I have done a poster with the web address for my local allotment shop. It seems to have gone down well.
My question is: I have 1 mother & 14 chicks i got for laying. They are 12 weeks old now. I let them out when i work at the allotment and lock em up when i leave. but when will they be old enough or what size do they have to be before I can let them out all day without fear of rats getting them? I have heard 5 months but this seems a lot?

[slyfox-mal]

12 weeks is more than ample time in my opinion mine are out from five or six weeks with no problems up to now  touch wood regards mal

[slyfox-mal]

wot type of hens are they ?

[slyfox-mal]

im nipping in to chat room now i just missed you before  ill see if your there

[OliveOil]

I let mine out from 1 week old in the summer with no probs.  I currently have 4 week olds out all the time and they are just fine.  THe biggest prob this time of year is crows stealing chicks - but again I would only be worried for 1-3 week olds. 12 weekolds should be fine out.