2 Days old Long Island ny

[lcox726]

We are excited we just picked up 2 Buff Orpingtons. 2 silver laced Wyandottes and 2 Auracanas. They are two days old. It's June on Long Island, this weekend it will be 80 outside. We have no garage, they are in a brooder in a vacant bed room now. How long before we can put them in their very secure chicken coop? Or put the brooder in the chicken coop? We also wanted to know when they can have lettuce along with their organic chick starter? What's the opinion out there?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

We are excited we just picked up 2 Buff Orpingtons. 2 silver laced Wyandottes and 2 Auracanas. They are two days old. It's June on Long Island, this weekend it will be 80 outside. We have no garage, they are in a brooder in a vacant bed room now. How long before we can put them in their very secure chicken coop?

Or put the brooder in the chicken coop? We also wanted to know when they can have lettuce along with their organic chick starter? What's the opinion out there?

Will you be providing supplemental heat in the coop? What are the overnight temperatures? With supplemental heat, you can put them out any time - otherwise you'll want/need to wait a few weeks for them to be better feathered and able to hold their own outside.
Adding feed in addition to their starter needs to come with the addition of chick grit to their diet - commercial feed is formulated to be digestible without the use of grit, but a chicken's system requires grit to digest other foods. Also, by "lettuce" are you referring to iceberg or another type? Only asking as Iceberg will offer absolutely no benefit (outside of possibly hydration if your chicks are not drinking enough) due to it's pretty useless nutritional standing. I generally offer treats with grit after the first 1-2 weeks. Boiled and/or scrambled eggs are favorites with little ones (and big chickens alike) and make a great place to start as they are a great source of protein. There is actually a nice list of "treats" you can offer chicks/chickens here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/chicken-treat-chart-the-best-treats-for-backyard-chickens Just remember that it should be just that, a treat, and that the bulk of their daily intake needs to be their base feed.

 

[lcox726]

Thank you. Yes I would be using the 250w red heat lamp. Also the lettuce is butter crunch and red sails.