Are these 6 week olds considered "fully feathered"?

[NicInNC]

I have a brown leghorn and one that we think is a black leghorn that are a little over 6 weeks old. Can they now spend the day outside in the run in 45-50 degree weather on a sunny day?

 

[Bedste]

YES they look good...... fully feathered IMHO

 

[Airilith]

They look just like my 6 week olds, who spent their first night outside on Friday.

 

[Soccer Mom]

Well, I don't consider them truly "fully feathered." However, by that age mine are always sleeping outside, even into the fifties and forties. They look just fine for playing outside during the day. I'm of the opinion that they feather faster when exposed to some cool temps.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
I'm of the same opinion. Mother Nature takes care of her own. If they have a need to feather faster, due to cooler weather, it'll happen.
Just watch for signs of chilling. If they stop running around playing and start to huddle and peep loudly, they are chilled and need the benefit of their heat lamp.

 

[NicInNC]

It's not working well at all. The other chickens are attacking them and ripped the neck of one. She was bleeding pretty bad.

 

[Airilith]

Quote:
Oh no! Well you're first post just asked about going outside, didn't mention anything about integrating with other chickens.

While I haven't had to do that yet, I have done quite a lot of reading about introducing younger birds to an established flock. All most all of the posts say that you should wait until the birds are all about the same size (the younger birds and the old flock). And most mention intoducing them at first with a barrier (that the birds can see through) in between the younger and the older.

 

[hinkjc]

I'm so sorry it didn't go well. 6 weeks is too young to introduce them to a mature flock, as I see you found out. Give them some more time to grow out. They are also not fully feathered. I can see the fuzz still mixed in on the head. I bet if you look under the wings there is still baby fuzz there as well. Most birds fully feather by 8 weeks, however that doesn't mean they can handle these cool temps. It means they can handle about 60-70 degrees and will learn to adjust their body temps for short periods. This is the typical age for smothering due to being chilled, so hang in there and take your time with them as they continue to mature. Best wishes and I hope it goes better next time.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

Totally agrees with hinkjc.