4.5 Weeks First Night Outside

[singwithmylife]

Our 13 girls are four and a half weeks old and all but two are dang close to fully feathered. I’m fairly certain the two half feathered ones are Roos. I have been gradually putting them outside in a small coop/run for longer and longer every day since they were about two weeks old as long as it was over 65 out and just watching them really closely. It seems like their feathers amped up production when I started doing that.

I’ve been going crazy because their brooder is in my office and every morning I‘m wiping up what seems like pounds of their lovely dust. Also, they’re so crowded in that brooder they seem to be going a bit mad too! I swear they’re pissed whenever I bring them in from the coop. We decided tonight to let them stay out there. The coop has been weather proofed as much as possible but has a ramp through the bottom to go down into the run so a little air can come up through there.

We have a wifi camera out there (because we’re clearly obsessed with our chicks, lol) and when I check on them they seem fine. Chirping occasionally but mostly roosting and sleeping. They don’t seem distressed. We have some red led lights out there because they are terrified of the dark, silly things, but no heat. I also moved a couple of food dishes up but their water is still in the bottom.

I feel so guilty because I mostly want them to be out of my office. The low tonight is supposed to be 55 and with so many of them I figured they could generate enough body heat they’d be ok... Do they need food and water throughout the night anymore or are they ok up there without it? Am I being selfish or do you think they’re ok to be out there full time? I suppose time will tell of course but I’d feel absolutely awful if any of them died.

Here’s a screenshot from the chicken cam:

 

[Buckeye Amy]

They are ready to be outside. Relax, you are doing great!

 

[nszrmch]

You're clearly a very good chicken parent!!! They look like they're doing great. Don't stress- you've got this

 

[Doc7]

Mine were outside and at 10 days old went through 3 nights below 39, one night at 31F. No WAY am I dealing with chicks in my house!

 

[bluemtnwmn]

Our 13 girls are four and a half weeks old and all but two are dang close to fully feathered. I’m fairly certain the two half feathered ones are Roos. I have been gradually putting them outside in a small coop/run for longer and longer every day since they were about two weeks old as long as it was over 65 out and just watching them really closely. It seems like their feathers amped up production when I started doing that.

I’ve been going crazy because their brooder is in my office and every morning I‘m wiping up what seems like pounds of their lovely dust. Also, they’re so crowded in that brooder they seem to be going a bit mad too! I swear they’re pissed whenever I bring them in from the coop. We decided tonight to let them stay out there. The coop has been weather proofed as much as possible but has a ramp through the bottom to go down into the run so a little air can come up through there.

We have a wifi camera out there (because we’re clearly obsessed with our chicks, lol) and when I check on them they seem fine. Chirping occasionally but mostly roosting and sleeping. They don’t seem distressed. We have some red led lights out there because they are terrified of the dark, silly things, but no heat. I also moved a couple of food dishes up but their water is still in the bottom.

I feel so guilty because I mostly want them to be out of my office. The low tonight is supposed to be 55 and with so many of them I figured they could generate enough body heat they’d be ok... Do they need food and water throughout the night anymore or are they ok up there without it? Am I being selfish or do you think they’re ok to be out there full time? I suppose time will tell of course but I’d feel absolutely awful if any of them died.

Here’s a screenshot from the chicken cam:

View attachment 2137313

As a new chick mom who hasn't moved her birds out I have no advice. I'm glad you asked though. My chickies are 4ish weeks old yesterday and they'll be going outside this weekend. I was also considering moving a video camera to the coop, lol!
Just remembered, I have read that they don't need food and water at night if it is dark as their circadian rhythms will keep them sleeping until the sun comes up. If you have lights on for them though, they won't know it's time to sleep and will need food and water.

 

[singwithmylife]

Thank you all so much for your reassurance and kind responses! We made it through the night and all 13 are good as gold! <3 The camera helped my peace of mind at the very least! Lol! It's going to be a little chillier today and tomorrow but I'm keeping a close eye on them. We plan on weening them off of the lights a little at a time until they're comfortable with the dark. They are red lights so hopefully, that doesn't disrupt their sleep too much.