My store bought chicks are wanting out... will keeping them in cause distress?

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simple smiths

simple smiths

In the Brooder
Jan 14, 2017
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So just 8days ago we got chicks at the store. They have taken to the coop very well, and I now notice they are going to the plexiglass where a run will be and looking out at times.

East-Central Ohio: 50/30 temps right now. Considering I get the run built in the next week, how soon can I let them go out during the day?

Thanks!

 
Also, I do not know the age at all. I know most can fly up 18" and over 2-3' if that helps.

There are 9 chicks in a 6x8' coop with a ceiling at 4.5'-7'.

Does it hurt to leave them to the coop for another month?
 
Think you've got more heat going than needed. Watch the birds and if they don't spend any time under the lamps remove one and week later remove the other. I put my birds outside at 4 to 5 weeks of age in those temperatures you state. If late spring with 60's high and 40's low then 3-4 weeks of age they go outside.

The birds look to be 2 weeks of age.
 
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Didn't you get them as day olds...so you should know how old they are??
You could post some close up pics and folks could guesstimate their approximate age by feather growth.
They are curious, that's why they are looking out the window.
You have plenty of room to leave them inside for a few more weeks.
If you get the run built and the mesh holes are small enough to contain them, you can let them go outside.
Will you have a mesh roof on your run?
 
Two heat lamps focused on those chicks is cooking them. Take away one of them. Chicks aren't hamburger patties you're trying to keep hot so you can eat them later.

If your chicks have the freedom to use all the space in their coop, there's no big rush to let them out into a run, although, at two or three weeks, 50 during the day isn't too cool for chicks to handle with occasional warmups under their heat source.

Looks as if your dog has plans of his own for those chicks.
 
I would also be sure to cover your run. Littles make nice snacks for all sorts of predators who will bypass the fence easily. When you do let them out, be sure they can figure out how to get back in, and be sure they can't squirt through any holes in the run. Chicken wire will keep birds in but will not keep predators out.
 
azygous said:
Two heat lamps focused on those chicks is cooking them. Take away one of them. Chicks aren't hamburger patties you're trying to keep hot so you can eat them later.

If your chicks have the freedom to use all the space in their coop, there's no big rush to let them out into a run, although, at two or three weeks, 50 during the day isn't too cool for chicks to handle with occasional warmups under their heat source.

Looks as if your dog has plans of his own for those chicks.
Click to expand...
They have two lights for redundancy, in case one goes out.
The coop is pretty large, 6'x8' (in a large barn in a pretty cool climate)so they can get away from it.
Does look bad, but I think it's ok...tho not the way we do it ;-)
Agree about the dog...lol.
 
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