Are my chickens too young to go into run.

[Mnaquin]

My chicks are 4 weeks old and have been kept in a heated hen house. At what age can they be allowed to come and go into the chicken run.

 

[ChickenLeg]

My chicks are 4 weeks old and have been kept in a heated hen house. At what age can they be allowed to come and go into the chicken run.

If you live somewhere where its still warm then they are fine. You can let them in the run during the day when its warm and the sun is shining. They will come back in the house if they get too cold or not go outside at all if its too cold, just make sure they are able to find their way back in the house. Sometimes they choose to stay in the run huddled up instead of going inside, in this case they are more likely to trample and kill one while trying to stay warm. So just make a good judgement, also you might wanna wait til they are fully feathered before trying since its beginning to get cold.

 

[rosemarythyme]

What is your general location, or at least your current temperatures? And have you started weaning them off heat?

My chicks were were brooded outside since 2 days and freely using the run at 3 weeks but it was about 70 day/50 nights then.

 

[Melky]

Mine were out at 4-5 weeks but weaned brooder to 70 degrees. Five degrees per week every 5-7 days. My days were 70 and nights 65-68. They went out in coop and run. No heat. They were also feathered out. Need new feathers for warmth. Never heard of babies trampling each other to death for heat. Mine nested together for heat. If temps a lot colder may want to wait till 6-8 weeks but don’t let temps drop to extremes so they have time to adjust before putting out. Then could put out in day once brooder 65-70 and put in at night if too big a drop till 6-8 weeks.