6 week olds ready for coop?Update: moved them!

[mamaluv321]

I have 2 age groups, 6 wks and 12 wks and i was thinking of introducing the babies in a large rabbit cage in the coop. Is it too soon for them to live in the coop? I am planning on keeping them in the cage in the coop for a few days to let them adjust...

 

[MareeZoCool]

How's your temps? If your temps are safely warm -nights too, and you keep them seperated from the larger crowd, I think they'll be OK.

 

[mamaluv321]

Well, it has been staying in the mid 40s at night and round 60 in the day, but the next 2 nights are supposed to be in the 30s...so should I wait? It's supposed to be in the 70s this weekend.

 

[BriteChicken]

Yep you should wait.

 

[mamaluv321]

So, how much longer should I wait? They are almost completly feathered at this point...

 

[907chicken]

mine are the same age and will hang out all day in the 40's. High 40's anyway. I would say they will be fine as long as you got a heat lamp in the coop they can retreat to if needed. Mine have been outside for a week with a heatlamp. and a couple of times it got below freezing at night.

 

[ChickenTender63]

If you put a heatlamp out in the coop at night just for insurance that they
Can get under you will be fine to put them out. I am in NC, and we have been
Having some cool nights and a few cool days here and there and I have had mine out
In the coop for over a month now and they are doing great. Mine were also
Only about 3 weeks old when I start putting them out, and they are mixed in
With chicks from 3 weeks old up to a couple laying hens and roosters that have
Taken up the role of gaurdian to the chicks.

I have a heat lamp in 1 corner so the wee ones can warm up if needed and I
Haven't lost any by doing this, and I have done this for close to 100 chicks since
Last spring.

I think you will be just fine, good luck!

CT

 

[mamaluv321]

So, I'm gonna move them out today, I'll run the extention cord and put their heat lamp in as well. I just HAVE to get them outta my kitchen. They are getting way too big for the rabbit cage and the constant peep-peep-peep-peep is just driving me nutty! I know they will be much happier out there!

 

[mtcookie]

lol

I usually put a heat lamp out in the teen coop for two weeks at first.

 

[mamaluv321]

So got the babies in with the bigger girls, in a bigger open bottom rabbit cage for a few days till they adjust. Really funny tho, put the lamp out there and it has a red bulb; kinda makes it look the coop of doom!