Another moving babies outside question-

[tumblewieds]

My three chicks are about 2 1/2-3 weeks old. They have all their wing and tail feathers, and their bodies are feathering out as well. I live in North Central Texas, with temps right now at 75-80 for a high during the day and about 60 at night. I have built a coop with an encloseable roosting box. The temp in the brooder is 80 under the light, but the chicks are not staying under the light, but in the area of the brooder that is about 75 degrees. What can I do so that I can move them outside? They are making a hellacious mess

They are sweet and darling, but messy (and I am an admitted picky retentive housekeeper). Should I put them in the roosting area and enclose them, or can I just put them in there and let them wander the coop (will they find their way back up the ramp and into the roosting area?) but close them up with the lamp at night? Or, should I just keep my vaccuum handy, get over myself, and keep them inside a bit longer?

 

[ranchhand]

Easy solution. You come clean my house and I'll come tend your chicks!

I would enclose them in the roosting area at night, make sure they have a safe heat source they can go to and let them wander during the day, in the coop. BUT..... they will need to be closely watched, that's very young to move them out!

 

[DIMBY]

what is your nighttime temperature outside? I have 3-week old chicks but it's going to be another two weeks before they'll go outside, until the nighttime temp is in the 50s and they are at least robin-sized. Last year, when I took my babies outside, I let them roam the run, but I did have to give them "ramp training" into the henhouse since they didn't have a momma to show them the ropes. Three nights did the trick (I had been warned about that from a seasoned chicken owner so I knew what to expect).

 

[ranchhand]

Quote:
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