6 weeks old... 30°ish temperatures at night.

[OkieB]

I have some 6 week old, almost fully feathered chicks. Can I put them in an outside coop? Or should I wait?

I have been sporadically running heat lamp on them, maybe 20% of a day. They seem fine.

I have just heard so much conflicting info on this issue. The coop is well placed and blocks the north wind when we have one.

I would love to hear your thoughts. My Dad thinks I'm crazy. He says the good Lord made chickens to survive outside at any age. Especially 6 weeks.

 

[sylviethecochin]

My mother assured me of the same thing when I was fourteen, and I ended up losing an entire clutch of chicks. I was not happy.

Start putting them outside during the day, if you can, to help them adjust, and keep an eye on them to see how they're doing. I'd definitely bring them inside at night.

 

[strawberricatt]

I'd say they'll be okay after a few days (ONLY DAYS) outside. If you are very worried about keeping them out at night (I would be too) buy an extension cord and put the heat lamp in the coop. How far from your house is the coop? Mama heating pad is my recommendation, however if a heat lamp is what you have on hand, use it.

 

[Neil Murphy]

They should be fine with the weather at that age.

Can they survive with the older birds, if any?

I put mine outside at 3-4 weeks unless the weather is really brutal.

 

[PirateGirl]

I'd err on the side of caution. Put them out sometimes during the day, bring them in at night. Or try putting them in the coop and keep them locked in there where they are sheltered, but not exposed to the weather. I would try and keep them above freezing temps until they are bigger. It can be stressful on them and they will be more susceptible to disease.

 

[OkieB]

I'd say they'll be okay after a few days (ONLY DAYS) outside. If you are very worried about keeping them out at night (I would be too) buy an extension cord and put the heat lamp in the coop. How far from your house is the coop? Mama heating pad is my recommendation, however if a heat lamp is what you have on hand, use it.

About 30 yards...

 

[OkieB]

They should be fine with the weather at that age.

Can they survive with the older birds, if any?

I put mine outside at 3-4 weeks unless the weather is really brutal.

I have a way to keep my older hens from them.