When can I put them outside

[ChickenJill]

My chicks are 2 and a half weeks old and runner ducks are one and a half weeks old. I have an outside trailer I can put them in that has a top area that I can put a heat lamp into. They would have to be able to go up and down the ladder to get downstairs for food and water. Can I put them outside???

 

[fiddlebanshee]

As long as you can keep the temp in the 75-85 degree range in one part of the trailer with possibilities for them to get away from the heatlamp I wouldn't know why not. That's how I raised my chicks from day one (in the coop with a heatlamp).

Just make sure that you fasten the heatlamp really securely, don't depend on the clamp alone but have some chain that it also hangs from, so that it cannot be knocked down.

 

[Fred's Hens]

If I read your OP correctly, the coop isn't big enough to brood in? They would have to go up and down a ladder to access food and water? If so, they are not ready for that all yet.

 

[fiddlebanshee]

My chicks ran up and down a ladder at almost three weeks old when I dismantled the brooder and let them have the run of the coop. They had no problem finding the food and water. Just my experience, YMMV.