My first batch of chicks woke me early this morning with the pitter patter of little feet on carpet just outside my bedroom door... Guess i forgot to close the door to the patio last night! So now that they are all capable of flying into and out of their brooder box is it time to go outside? I live in eastern Colorado and weather seems warm but not hot. Evenings are cool but not below 70. The girls are all feathered out but I want to be sure before putting them out.
Mine went out (for good) to their coop and run at 5 weeks, but we live in Arizona and it was already 105 when they got evicted from the house.
I agree with barred- rocks-rock. This is a great time of year to put them out a little early. The weather is perfect.
The problem usually isn't when to let them out--after all Momma would take them out as soon as they were all hatched--the problem lies in getting them back in. Inasmuch as "out" for mine is outside, I wait until they begin roosting before allowing them to leave the brooder area, this means I don't have to chase them back in at night.
I put mine out young. If they were with their Mama they would start to be out and about at just a few days old. I'd make sure that they are in a secure pen...safe from predators and other adult chickens. I'd also keep a close eye on them if the temp goes down below 75 or so....especially at night. In nature they cuddle with their Mama's for a LONG time! I put a 100watt bulb in their nesting area at night and just turned it on at nights when they needed it. Congrats on getting those stinky little buggers outside! I'm all about an "outside brooder".
I evicted my 4 BR chicks from their brooder in my room mainly because they're heat lamp's clamp broke. But they were well feathered out. They're almost 12 weeks old now.
thanks to all of you.. I just feel like I am kicking out babies into the world. Glad that its a good age tho. They are all roosting on top edges of the box except when sleeping so the floor has to be lined to keep droppings under control too! but the coop is gonna be awesome.. its an ark style 14 ft long and 11ft wide. tons of room for the little girls.
