Advice Needed- Can my chicks go out for a couple of hours?

[HAPPYPONY15]

Just wondering...
It's really damp here in Central Florida because it was raining last night. It's 70 out, so not cold, and I'm not sure if I should bring my 6-week-old chicks out into their run. They're in the house right now. They are almost fully feathered, but I'm not sure if they should be out in the wet grass and dirt yet. The poor chicks really want to go out...

What should I do?

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

They can totally go out for a few hours and in fact they should. I’ve put 4-week-old chicks in the coop with temps much lower than that. Field trips are a good way to start “cold-hardening” them though I’m not sure it’s necessary at your temps. Put them out in a safe place for a couple hours and see how they act. I use a big wire dog kennel without the tray in the bottom so they can experience grass. If they’re cold they will huddle together.

 

[nuthatched]

Kick them out permanently. They could have been out a month ago. The 6 weeks thing is kinda hogwash.

 

[HAPPYPONY15]

"They can totally go out for a few hours and in fact they should. I’ve put 4-week-old chicks in the coop with temps much lower than that. Field trips are a good way to start “cold-hardening” them though I’m not sure it’s necessary at your temps. Put them out in a safe place for a couple hours and see how they act. I use a big wire dog kennel without the tray in the bottom so they can experience grass. If they’re cold they will huddle together."

Thank you! I'm more worried about the wet grass than the temperatures though. I had them out for a while yesterday and the week before, but they really want to get out.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Wet grass shouldn’t be a problem either. They might find some worms!

 

[HAPPYPONY15]

Kick them out permanently. They could have been out a month ago. The 6 weeks thing is kinda hogwash.

I'm waiting for the coop to air out because we painted it recently.

 

[HAPPYPONY15]

Wet grass shouldn’t be a problem either. They might find some worms!

Ok, thank you! I'll bring them out, I'm sure they'll be happy

 

[nuthatched]

I'm waiting for the coop to air out because we painted it recently.

Nice! How long ago did you paint?

 

[Ridgerunner]

It's 70 out, so not cold, and I'm not sure if I should bring my 6-week-old chicks out into their run.

I've had chicks younger than that go through nights in the mid 20's Fahrenheit. They were cold-hardened, which helps. In central Florida yours should have no problems with temperatures even if they are not cold-hardened.

I'm more worried about the wet grass than the temperatures though. I had them out for a while yesterday and the week before, but they really want to get out.

Good question but I would not worry about it. Their feathers are not as oily and waterproof as ducks but they should be able to handle wet grass.

Typically when mine are 5 weeks old I let them decide when they go out or not. I have not lost one yet due to rain or wet grass.

 

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

Just wondering...
It's really damp here in Central Florida because it was raining last night. It's 70 out, so not cold, and I'm not sure if I should bring my 6-week-old chicks out into their run. They're in the house right now. They are almost fully feathered, but I'm not sure if they should be out in the wet grass and dirt yet. The poor chicks really want to go out...

What should I do?

They can go out, they will love it. They are totally fine to be out all day at this age.