Are chicks ready to go outside?

[chickennewb-E]

I am a first time chicken granny, these are my son’s babies. They are now 9 weeks old. We have been keeping them in the house at night. It is going to be about 44 at night, andare they ok to be moved outside into the coop? Have heard some say yes, others say no. Do I put a heater in? Do I put food or water in the actual sleeping quarters? Cannot mess this up- my kid is in love!

 

[Anime2lover]

I am a first time chicken granny, these are my son’s babies. They are now 9 weeks old. We have been keeping them in the house at night. It is going to be about 44 at night, andare they ok to be moved outside into the coop? Have heard some say yes, others say no. Do I put a heater in? Do I put food or water in the actual sleeping quarters? Cannot mess this up- my kid is in love!

In my opinion their ready. Colder nights can indeed be supplemented with a heater. We did that this year with ours. They need to be able to learn to roost, wait to long and it could create problems with their feet. As for feed and water, yea, I'd keep it inside with them. For the water, it's be a good idea to invest in a heated water bucket to prevent it from freezing.

 

[Brooks_]

9 weeks and 44 at night? Yes. Should've already been.

 

[Yardmom]

Fully feathered chicks (this usually happens by 6 weeks) have no problem handeling temperatures well below freezing. Their feather coats are quite warm. I raise most of my chicks in my coop. I have had chicks ignore heat sources at just over 2 weeks old when temperatures have dipped into the forties.

 

[veronicaseramachick]

What breed is the one on the left? I have a bird very similar in color. I think they would be fine with a heater, but to be sure I would have to search more about what what breeds and ages, can handle what. Just googling it it says minimum 65 for 9 week olds. But it may vary.

 

[K0k0shka]

They'll be totally fine! Old enough to be outside and without heat, in fact they should've been ready for some time now, they're so big. You can give them a huddle box at first, if they want a cozy nook to huddle together and keep each other warm. Like a box turned on its side so it has a "roof", and the front open for them to go in. Mine liked that and used it for a while (no heat, just the box), though they were younger than yours. Yours might actually want to start roosting at this age.

 

[chickennewb-E]

In my opinion their ready. Colder nights can indeed be supplemented with a heater. We did that this year with ours. They need to be able to learn to roost, wait to long and it could create problems with their feet. As for feed and water, yea, I'd keep it inside with them. For the water, it's be a good idea to invest in a heated water bucket to prevent it from

In my opinion their ready. Colder nights can indeed be supplemented with a heater. We did that this year with ours. They need to be able to learn to roost, wait to long and it could create problems with their feet. As for feed and water, yea, I'd keep it inside with them. For the water, it's be a good idea to invest in a heated water bucket to prevent it from freezing.

do you put the heater in the enclosed part or will that get too hot?

 

[chickennewb-E]

They'll be totally fine! Old enough to be outside and without heat, in fact they should've been ready for some time now, they're so big. You can give them a huddle box at first, if they want a cozy nook to huddle together and keep each other warm. Like a box turned on its side so it has a "roof", and the front open for them to go in. Mine liked that and used it for a while (no heat, just the box), though they were younger than yours. Yours might actually want to start roosting at this age.

they roost in the large brooder I made them. it’s 4’*6’. Do i put the box in the enclosed part and lock them up at night?

 

[chickennewb-E]

What breed is the one on the left? I have a bird very similar in color. I think they would be fine with a heater, but to be sure I would have to search more about what what breeds and ages, can handle what. Just googling it it says minimum 65 for 9 week olds. But it may vary.

that is what i saw too, hence the concern

 

[chickennewb-E]

Fully feathered chicks (this usually happens by 6 weeks) have no problem handeling temperatures well below freezing. Their feather coats are quite warm. I raise most of my chicks in my coop. I have had chicks ignore heat sources at just over 2 weeks old when temperatures have dipped into the forties.

so no heat lamp?