Age?

[Creteloc]

When I got these chicks, no one knew how old they were. I wasn't going to get them because of it, but conditions weren't very good and I felt bad for them. Now though, I don't know when to move them outside because I don't know their age. Can anyone guestimate based on this pic?

I should mention that the outside coop is going to have a heat lamp that kicks on at 35 degrees and off at 45 degrees. That's what my neighbor uses and it's worked great for him. Today's their first day going without a heat light, because I've read a lot here and I 'think' they have enough feathers. I got them 3 weeks ago today.

 

[azygous]

I would say they're just under four weeks, not over.

You don't need to know their precise age. You have a good handle on how well they are feathering out. You are correct that they need no heat during the day at all by this stage.

They can get by with just a low wattage heat source at night. Look for the feathers to cover the backs and heads and you will know you can take away the heat source all together.

Good job. You are weaning them off heat in an intelligent manner.

 

[Tlmcq]

If they are avoiding heat lamp then it's fine to leave off for little while. If they stay huddled together not moving around brooder much they're cold. They can't go out in those temps until fully feathered.

 

[lazy gardener]

Based on their feathering, I'm guessing they are 3 - 4 weeks old. They definitely don't need any external heat if you have them in your house. I might keep them in for a week for observation, then move them out. You definitely do not need a heat lamp, even on a thermo cube in your coop. It's a fire risk. I only supply heat if my birds are in a below 0*F x 24/7 cold snap, and then, only if they are showing signs of hypothermia: depressed diet, decreased activity.

Based on your assessment of their previous conditions, you might want to give them Poultry Nutri-Drench for a couple of weeks. What are you feeding them? Do you have any other chickens? Do you have a coop set up? Size? How many birds total? Recommendation is for a minimum of 4 s.f. in coop and 10 s.f. in run per bird. Of course you will want more space than that, cause eventually you will want to bring in replacements if you want a continuous supply of eggs.

 

[Creteloc]

Based on your assessment of their previous conditions, you might want to give them Poultry Nutri-Drench for a couple of weeks. What are you feeding them? Do you have any other chickens? Do you have a coop set up? Size? How many birds total? Recommendation is for a minimum of 4 s.f. in coop and 10 s.f. in run per bird. Of course you will want more space than that, cause eventually you will want to bring in replacements if you want a continuous supply of eggs.

I'm feeding them Manna Pro Medicated Chick Starter

No other chickens

The coop is set up and I'm building the run this weekend.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DLE5H72/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
and
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OVUBOAK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'll have just the 3 chickens. I wouldn't be comfortable putting more than 3 chickens in that size of a coop.

 

[Ridgerunner]

To me those look to be in what I call the vulture stage. Their down is falling out and the feathers are coming in but they look really ragged. I call it the vulture stage from a comment by my wife when we had a bunch of black chicks in that stage lined up on a perch in the brooder. In another week or two they will look really smooth. I'd guess they are about 3-1/2 weeks old, give or take a few days.

They should be fine in the daytime temperatures you show, they probably don't need that heat lamp. But with lows in the upper 30's it's probably a good idea to have a warm spot at night. You can leave it on during the day too, it won't hurt. But they need enough room so they can get away from the heat if they need to. In two weeks you can get rid of the heat lamp, they won't need it.

A lot of us brood outside straight from the incubator or post office in that kind of set-up. I've had chicks in my brooder which is built into the coop when the nighttime lows were in the teens. What you are trying to accomplish is to have one spot warm enough in the coldest temperatures but also a spot cool enough in the warmest conditions. There have been mornings I had ice on the far end of my 3' x 6' brooder but the end the chick were on was toasty. When the daytime temps get up in the 70's or greater they go to the far end of the brooder where it is cooler. They are great at self-regulating as long as they have the option.

I also use heat lamps. There are other methods that also work. One strong recommendation, throw away the clamp that came with the lamp so you won't be tempted to use it. Wire your lamp in place so there is no way you or the chicks can accidentally knock it down. Having two separate wires is even better. Don't use something that can burn or melt, use wire.

 

[Creteloc]

To me those look to be in what I call the vulture stage. Their down is falling out and the feathers are coming in but they look really ragged. I call it the vulture stage from a comment by my wife when we had a bunch of black chicks in that stage lined up on a perch in the brooder. In another week or two they will look really smooth. I'd guess they are about 3-1/2 weeks old, give or take a few days.

Hahaha, I like the term 'vulture' stage! The Easter Egger, which was the smaller chick, looks to be feathering out faster than the other two. She's pretty scraggly looking.