4-5 weeks old chicks and outside pin?

[SpoopyTheChicki]

So, I've said this before I am new to chicken owning!!

How old do chicks have to be until they are ready to go outside by themselves?

I heard they have to be 10 weeks, is that true?

Any other questions? Just ask!

 

[21hens-incharge]

I brooded in the coop this year. I discontinued extra heat early on. I think mine were 4 weeks and no extra heat.
They were outside in their run before three weeks.

We are still dropping into the low 30's at night here. So far all are fat and sassy.

 

[sunflour]

Hi from a fellow Georgian:

No, they can go out when they have feathered up - 5-6 weeks - No supplemental heat should be needed here in GA.

I can't imagine how to keep them inside til 10 weeks old

 

[sunflour]

Topic of the Week - Integrating Chicks into an Adult Flock

The above is a discussion from last year with loads of experienced help with how to add to your flock. Link didn't work, but you can copy and paste in the search to find it.

 

[MigraineMan]

Our older birds were in the brooder until 10 weeks, which was way too late. Coop construction was delayed mostly due to a month of rain ... They had enough feathers to be outside at about 6 weeks. I would use the feathers and not a calendar to gauge when the chicks are ready to be booted out of the brooder.

 

[SueT]

I put mine out into their permanent coop at 4.5 weeks. A few days later, they were allowed into their fenced run as well. I would not let them free range outside until they are nearly full grown.

 

[SpoopyTheChicki]

I meant their coop as the forever home

Yes, definitely.

 

[sunflour]

Why don't you invite your Mom to join us?

And if she has some other hobby interests, we have those too

 

[debid]

I put them out when they arrive so about 3 days old. They live in a small coop next door to the big coop and have their own run. They got run access at 7 days. I had an electric heating pad hen for them and a low roost. I took the heating pad out when they moved to the roost at 4-5 weeks old. It was 40-50 at night then.

I got them in late February when it was still dropping well below freezing at night and occasionally reaching the 70s during the day. You might be surprised by how little they used their heat and how much time they spent outside given the opportunity.

 

[SpoopyTheChicki]

Okay, thank you!

I got them on my screened in front porch. Messy, lol.