7 Wk old chicks + rain and light winds=?

[countrylivin201]

I live in the wonderful rainy state of Washington, and it seems the weather will never clear. The most decent day we have been getting lately is, cloudy skies with sprinkles here and there. Temperatures in high 50's to mid 60's. We almost always have some sort of a wind here in the gorge. My question is can I take my 7 week old chicks with me outside, or should I try to tough it out longer and hope that we get some decent weather in the near future. They have been outside once before for a short period of play time on the last nice day we had. I also have them sitting about 65-70 degrees all the time in the room they are in. They are getting so big and stinky, and will have the chicken coop done with in the next few days. I would say that they are ready, but would appreciate anything you all have to say.

Thanks!

 

[Akane]

7 week olds could handle that but if they are inside now they will not handle a drop of possibly 10F plus wind. If you want to adjust them to living outside put them in a draft free outer building for a few days before they are exposed to wind. Otherwise I'd just wait until you are ready to put them outside or the weather improves. I have 6week olds running around outside right now with my serama bantams and it's 45F plus wind and occasional rain. However they've been in a dog crate in the coop for a week and then loose but shut in the coop for 2 days before having the door to the run open.

 

[SoJoChickens]

At 7 weeks so they should be fine taking trips outdoors. I wouldn't let them stay out overnight though until the temperature improves some.

 

[Mamasan7]

countrylivin, I too live in Wa State, same area too I think, Plateau?
We have our 6 week old chicks in our sunroom and we are lowering the temp to get them used to it.
We hope to have them in the coop by this weekend if we can finish it, but the weather is miserable!!

Here's my blog with coop pix and chicken pix;
http://ksback40.blogspot.com/

 

[countrylivin201]

Thanks for the input everyone. I think we are supposed to have some sunshine in the next few days. Hopefully the chicks can be in their new house by this weekend.