3 week old chicks outside?

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marathonmultiplesmom

marathonmultiplesmom

Songster
9 Years
Mar 23, 2010
543
5
129
Chehalis, WA
Hi, it has been warm here. I mean, its SUMMER after all. I just set up the chick pen and put 10 chicks out. They have all wing feathers, looks like shoulder feathers and starting some neck feathers plus some have tail feathers. Thats okay right? I had them in the brooder and for the past 2 nights I left the light off and they were fine. Didn't look too cold when I turn the light on they don't run to it. I think they are fine outside, what do you think? Also, is it okay or bad to put a hen in there with them? She's not broody or anything I just thought they might snuggle together? Maybe I'm wrong so let me know.
 
Howdy --

We're new chicken owners too. We set our 3 girls outside in their tractor only after night temps didn't fall below 70. They are 5 weeks old now; we put them out at 4. In addition, we have a wooden box, layered with pine shavings, that has an open side for them to snuggle up in, which they did without our prompting. Good luck!
 
The chicks may be fine with the temp but I wouldnt put ANY adult bird in with them.Hen's can be very agressive toward's chick's they haven't brooded.
 
I just put 4 week olds out for the first time in a brooder in the coop last night. Here in NY the temp last night was 67-68. They do have most of their feathers and pine shavings on the floor of the coop. I just checked on them a few times and didn't see them climbing all over each other so I let them stay in the coop and they did just fine.
Now tonight...it's the first night outside for my ducks...I was gone at dusk (they are in a pen) but came home 15-20 minutes after dusk...and man...they were sooooo scared they LET me pick them up!! I ALWAYS have to chase the ducks...not tonight! I just walked up and picked them up,then I put them in their temporary wooden box/hut for nighttime. I felt soooooooo guilty...They are so used to coming in the house at night.
hit.gif
 
Thanks everyone. I do have a cat carrier outside with hay in it. Also the grass is somewhat over grown in the corner of the pen so they have some spots to snuggle up. I will probably check on them last thing at night and first thing in the morning. They seem to like it better than the brooder. There's grass and bugs out here... oh my!
 
I agree with dieselgrl not to put the hen in with them until they are a little bigger and have become accustomed to each other through the fence or such. When I introduced my then 5 week olds to the then gentle and lovely 9 week olds the older ones were just nasty...They love each other now 3 weeks later but I wondered if they would ever get along.
 

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