8 baies doing GREAT! Questions, questions, questions!!!

[crazyspitz]

Well, we were only going to get 5 to start with, but wound up with 8!

We have two Buffs, two Australorps, and two Americaunas (pardon the misspelling). We've had them for nearly two weeks now and absolutely everydone is going very very well.

Currently it's about 90 degrees during the day and 70 at night. They are in the garage in their brooder and I am wondering when I should start giving them time outdoors. The younger ones are two weeks old and the older two Austras are three weeks old. They're feathering nicely, eating and drinking like champs and showing no aggression towrards one another. I heard that getting past the first week is pretty critical, is that correct? We try to handle them once a day to get used to people, is that ok or is that is mistake? I don't want to do anything detrimental to them.

I'm brand new to the BYC game and anything anyone can offer is more than welcome!

Thanks,
Kate

 

[ChickenPalz]

I started to put them out side around that age but did not put them out for good till they were one month old also i put in a heat lamp just for extra heat . and I think its good to handle them a little bit so they are nice when they get older. Good luck

 

[crazyspitz]

And I just realized, like an idiot, that I left the second b out of babies. D'oh!

 

[happylittlehens]

With temps of 90 you could start letting them have outdoor time anytime now. But I agree with ChickenPalz about not putting them out for good until about 4-5 weeks, unless you have some way to keep them warm during the night. And I think handling them is fine. I have been handling ours from day 1, they are now 9 weeks old and most of them are just friendly as can be Good Luck! They are so much fun!