putting babies outside??

Our little chickie babies were 4 weeks old yesterday, when can we put them outside? We are in FL the nighttime temp is mid-high 70's, it does get muggy over night, lots of dew and moisture in the air. Should we wait a few more weeks to put them out??


They are pretty feathered but still have chick fluff on their heads. Thanks

Most people would probably say to wait until they are fully feathered (or pretty close), but I put mine out at 4 weeks, and that was in late spring in Wisconsin It was mid to upper 60's then, and they where just fine.

I know these are 4 weeks old and don't have a broody hen with them but I put my chicks outside with the broody hen less than a week olds and they are fine. As long as they have shelter, food and water they will be fine. Done this many times before, so don't worry about it!! We are in England over here guys!!! If they are fine in England they will be fine any where else x Good luck with all x

Put them out. If they had been raised with a momma hen they wouldn't be sleeping under her at night. They're well feathered enough for your mild temps.

Thank You all for replying! We think we are going to try and leave them out tonight, we'll probably end up checking in on them about 500 times, do they like the dark? There will be almost no light over there where they are at. Do we need to find a light for them to be out there all night?

When it gets dark, the birds simply go to sleep. Shining a light on them will rouse them and disturb them, and having a light on all night will keep them from sleeping properly.

Okay definitely no light then got to keep the babies happy! Thank You!

Beautiful babies! I'm excited to know how it goes.

Hi - what part of Florida are you in? I'm in the NW Panhandle near Pensacola, and it is HOT here now! Mine have been outside for about a month and are doing extremely well. Just make sure they have shade to get into and PLENTY of water! I would not worry about them getting cold at all if it's as hot where you are as it is where I am! Nighttime temps are about 79 to 83 or so. It is very humid and lots of dew in the morning. All chicks seem happy and healthy, though. I did make sure mine had roosting poles in the run as well as the coop. Most nights, they opt for the poles in the run. Other nights, the pole in the coop. Just depends on if it's raining or not.

Hi Peeps61! I am in Port Charlotte (its down near ft Myers). We have a small coop right now its about 4 feet off the ground scared of snakes and racoons getting in there. They love it outside during the day, its raining now so we put them in we were scared they would get to cold, the house part isn't completely waterproof. It's under our big oak tree so they are in the shade almost all day, around 3 or 4 they have a little sun in the "run" of the cage. It stays about 88-90 under the tree we have a thermometer attached to it just to be sure they aren't to hot, we get up to about 102-106 during the day sometimes. They have two perches but they never use them, I can't figure out how to get them to sleep on it. They have a perch in their brooder box to but usually sleep on the ground. I'm glad your chicks are doing well outside! I can't wait until we can try them outside for the night! (Rain rain go away!) I just saw on the news there is a storm (possible tropical storm/hurricane) headed towards east coast FL, so it might be another week before they can stay out all night! Poor things, they love it out there!