How Long Before Chicks Can Go Outside

Let it be known, I am a newbie. That being said, here goes. I have some 3 week old chicks that I just kicked out of the house & they are doing fine. We live in Georgia & it is hotter than Hades out there. I did wait until they had some of their big girl feathers before making the transition but frankly, it is warmer out there than in the house, even with the bulb on them. I put them in a dog crate inside the chicken run so they would be with the big chickens but safe. I then locked them in the cat carrier with plenty of hay at night for extra warmth (and for my peace of mind). I have been taking them for outings since they were a week old; letting them play under the bushes eating rollie-pollies, that sort of stuff. But God as my witness, I will never raise chicks in my house again. Lesson learned #102
 
My chicks are a week old. We took them outside for a half hour with shade and sun. They loved it. They found worms in minutes. When a plane flew over the house they all came to me and froze. Lol.
 
Hello, I was wondering, how many weeks do chicks need to stay in a brooder before you can let them live outside? I currently have 3 buff orpingtons, and 3 heritage silver laced wyandottes.
 
This may have been asked before. After how many weeks can chicks go outside in the yard or garden? Also can the be given grass clippings of vegetable scraps?
I put my chicks outside for the first time at two weeks old. It was an 85 degree day. I bought an octagonal pet playpen with a cover that is half solid nylon and half mesh (so they had shade and protection from aerial predators). I put them out there with food, water and the rent-a-coop 10x10 brooder (just in case). The immediately loved it and ate everything (including grass) that they could get their beaks on. They were left out all day, no issues. As long as it's warm and not raining, they should be fine after a week to go out. Put a heat source out there with them, just in case, for a few weeks. Mine have never gone under the brooder plate while outside.

They are now 4 weeks, and I don't take them out if it's below 70. However, their brooder is set up in my garage (unheated, uninsulated) with the brooder plate. It's gone down as low as 48 since they've been out there and they're fine). I have read that the more chicks you have, the more they can withstand because they can also huddle together.

I have fed them eggs (scrambled) at a week old and have since given them fruits, veggies and some cornbread that I made that turned out not very tasty to humans (chicks LOVED it). I know this question is old, but it came up in a search for me and I am guessing it will come up for others also!
 

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