48 overnight can I leave chicks out?

sueandthe6

Songster
8 Years
May 18, 2014
142
17
141
southeast Pa
I have two cochin chicks that are about 8 weeks. They have been in a crate on my kitchen table and lets just say I am ready for them to be out- but don't want to risk their health. I put them out this afternoon in the set up pictured below. It was 56 and sunny. now obviously it isn't sunny anymore and the weather is to be 48 overnight and rain in the early am-5 to 7 to be exact. Is this too cold to leave them out? At what temps can I leave them out and be likely safe>? I realize there is no hard and fast number but I have no clue- first time with chicks. thanks
 
If they've only been inside, they'll need a few days to acclimate to the outside temps, but that can be done rapidly. You can leave them outside during the day and bring them in at night, or you can leave them outside and rig a lamp at night for a few nights. At this age they're well able to tolerate those temps, it's just the quick change that could be an issue.

Do you have a coop for them? They don't need to be confined to the crate, that's pretty small for them at this age.
 
If they've only been inside, they'll need a few days to acclimate to the outside temps, but that can be done rapidly. You can leave them outside during the day and bring them in at night, or you can leave them outside and rig a lamp at night for a few nights. At this age they're well able to tolerate those temps, it's just the quick change that could be an issue.

Do you have a coop for them? They don't need to be confined to the crate, that's pretty small for them at this age.
I only have one coop that they will need to merge into with my other girls. I left them in the set up I pictured today and checked on them often. Every time I went out- they were out and about eating or scratching or perched. I had thought that if I went out at any point and they were hunched together in the enclosed plastic part of the set up looking cold I would bring them in but they seemed ok each time so I left them out. The weather is supposed to be decent tomorrow and even better this weekend so my plan is to let hem out into the "run" while the big girls are out ranging. I am a bit nervous because they are still skittish so if they panic or get away they wont come too me. I do have a bigger wire crate that I could put in place of the small one. My plan is to partition off part of the run and move my adult cochin and a black mutt girl I have into that half with the chicks. The problem being there wouldn't be any shelter for them- I only have the one actual coop. I said it once- and I am sticking to it- from now on I am only bringing in birds who can defend themselves and are close to same sizes. This integrating smalls is for the birds ;-)
 

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