A few questions

Our chicks are now 4 weeks +3 days old! They are growing like crazy! Momma hen is still taking very good care of them. She laid her 1st post broody egg yesterday and another today! I'm very impressed.

We live in north central washington, it's been averaging 39-41 degrees on most days. Lots of rain though. All the babies and momma are currently living in a large crate inside. My question is, is it ok to start letting them outside for awhile? I'm sure they would love the extra room, but I don't want them to get too cold. Also, I've noticed at least one of them has been sneezing a bit. Otherwise acting very normal. Eating well. Should I worry about that?

Would it be ok to introduce them into the rest of the flock while still under the care of momma....or wait a little longer?

I've included a few pictures...if anyone could take a guess at sexing them. We are hoping the buff baby is a roo and that the other 2 are pullets. First 3 pics are "Poppy" next 2 are "Licorice" and the last is "Feedy"

Thanks in advance!

Oh my crying out loud!! That second picture is stinking adorable!! Sex wise, too early to tell. Are they only using Momma for heat or are you using a heat lamp. If Momma is still caring for them I would give them so time outside with her. (I live in Washington too, Whatcom County so I know the temps you are talking about.)

Bridebeliever said:

Oh my crying out loud!! That second picture is stinking adorable!!

Sex wise, too early to tell. Are they only using Momma for heat or are you using a heat lamp. If Momma is still caring for them I would give them so time outside with her. (I live in Washington too, Whatcom County so I know the temps you are talking about.)

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Yes, Poppy was very intrigued by my cell phone, and Feedy wasn't too sure about it. We sure are enjoying them.

Momma is their only heat source. I guess we will try to let them out for short periods of time.

We are in Okanogan County! Hello fellow Washingtonian!

I have chicks that are in brooder and I take them out in Idaho's crazy weather for a bit, but they all decided they didn't want a heat lamp after a week. I only let them out for a bit in the coop while I collect eggs right now but they seem to be tolerating it a little better each time they go for a visit. ages are 1 5 week old and 2 2 week olds

We are lucky right now if we get to 30-35, I do try to make sure the excursions are after it is above freezing/

Yours with momma should do fine for little longer as you are warmer than here and momma will be watching to make sure they get warmed up if needed. I need more coffee with this storm we are having lol

slordaz said:

I have chicks that are in brooder and I take them out in Idaho's crazy weather for a bit, but they all decided they didn't want a heat lamp after a week. I only let them out for a bit in the coop while I collect eggs right now but they seem to be tolerating it a little better each time they go for a visit. ages are 1 5 week old and 2 2 week olds

We are lucky right now if we get to 30-35, I do try to make sure the excursions are after it is above freezing/

Yours with momma should do fine for little longer as you are warmer than here and momma will be watching to make sure they get warmed up enough.

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Sounds like they should be just fine then. I'm excited to let them run free!

Momma will probably watch out for them where your other chickens are concerned but I would definitely watch them yourself too! I know a lot of people set up a space inside their existing coop or run that the littles can run in and get away from the Bigs if they need to.

This was taken as they are from 2 seperate hatches and the older one decided to go visit them, just before the little ones decided they were to big to be in a cooped up and with heat. They wanna be race chickens lol.

yeah they should mommas are pretty protective for about first month if I remember right. I rrestarted a flock this last spring after not having one for some time and raised all but the barred rock rooster from 2 day old chicks, we just had a crazy barred rock hen decide to go broody now. least won't have to hatch in the incubator much lol, I always supervise for the first few times though too.

Thought spring wolud be different than winter outtings but not really, they run to me when they want warmed up then when they are they are ready to run off and explore some more, just have to watch the leghorn isn't to fond of idea of little chicks right now and I do have 2 roosters. Funny thing is the hens all tolerate the littler ones better than the one 3 weeks older

Those little chicks worry me so much at times...but really they are doing great. I think I may try to let them go out near the chicken pen first. So I can see how the others react to them, then they can have a supervised visit inside the pen.

slordaz said:

This was taken as they are from 2 seperate hatches and the older one decided to go visit them, just before the little ones decided they were to big to be in a cooped up and with heat. They wanna be race chickens lol.

yeah they should mommas are pretty protective for about first month if I remember right. I rrestarted a flock this last spring after not having one for some time and raised all but the barred rock rooster from 2 day old chicks, we just had a crazy barred rock hen decide to go broody now. least won't have to hatch in the incubator much lol, I always supervise for the first few times though too.

Thought spring wolud be different than winter outtings but not really, they run to me when they want warmed up then when they are they are ready to run off and explore some more, just have to watch the leghorn isn't to fond of idea of little chicks right now and I do have 2 roosters. Funny thing is the hens all tolerate the littler ones better than the one 3 weeks older

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The size difference is so crazy! They grow so fast

That they do, caught them outta their brooder trying to figure out how to get into the fridge one day, they decided if I wasn't gonna give them some yogurt they were gonna try to get it themselves lol.

The older is a leghorn cross by the barred rock rooster and has been trying to fly since she was 5 days old, but miss attitude, oops I mean Happy, doesn't think she should be outside just wants to perch on my 25 yr old sons shoulder like a parrot.

The barred rock chick from second hatch may be the runt but she isn't afraid to get right in Happy's face either even though she's so much bigger .