3 weeks old-pics (aren't they pretty??)

[peepmommy]

You have seen my new peeps from my broody, but you haven't seen my 3 week old pullets lately, so here they are in their big girl feathers!! I am so curious to see them all grown up and the colors!! The close ups are my EE's and I also have Wellies and GLW!!!

BTW, does anyone think they can go out to the coop yet????

 

[RonC]

They are in the chickasaurus stage for sure. Some would have put them out a week ago. I would say if it's not getting cold at night they would be ok. Might want to give them another week to let the majority of their feathers come in then they can for sure. Mine went out at 4 weeks. Feathered except for their heads and it was getting into the 50's at night.

 

[peepmommy]

It's been in the 50's at night. This weekend is supposed to be sweltering hot! They are in a stone barn, so it does stay a little on the cooler side. They are in that funny stage aren't they?? Gotta love it!

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

Pretty babies you've got there! It's hard to know what your temperatures are like since I dont know where you live, but I've been putting my chicks out pretty early since its been pretty warm here in VA. We were averaging about 80-90 a couple weeks ago, so I put some 1.5 week old chicks out and they've been fine. They've been out of the brooder for about 2 or so weeks now and are still fine, even with the unseasonably cool weather we're having now (its calling for 78 degrees today, but its been about 70-75 since the weekend and in the mid 50s at night). If you put them outside, you could always bring them back to the brooder if problems arise. Hope this helps, good luck!

 

[kingsfarm]

When you say "outside" what do you mean..? are they going out with the big girls? free rangeing or in with the adults all the time (no seperation) just didn't understand....after chicks leave the brooder here they go into a seperated/area of the open coop hen house....

 

[peepmommy]

I meant out to the barn! Out of my house!

Anyway, my hubby built me a separate/movable pen inside our coop. We have our broody and her chicks in there right now, but it is big enough to put a wall in the middle. I will be moving them to the pen, separated from mamma and babies as well as our big girls, but still in the same coop as everyone. When mamma introduces her chicks to the flock, I'll take out the wall and give them the whole pen. I was planning on introducing them to the flock maybe the end of summer? They will be closer to 15-18 weeks then. I am due with my baby Aug 7 so may wait until after he comes to let them with the flock. I'm a little scared about introducing them, but at that age, they should be ok. They also outnumber the big girls, so hoping for an easy transition!

 

[peepmommy]

As far as free ranging, I think I will let them out with the big girls around 8 weeks. Keeping an eye on them as well as the skies too!